Can Respiratory Infections Lead To Breathlessness, Fatigue And Nausea?

Posted on Wed, 26 Jul 2023

Question: Hello again, Dr.Zografakis. My mother has told me that my father does not have shortness of breath despite his fatigue and slight nausea and low appetite. She still thinks it's a lingering effect of his respiratory infection despite taking the antibiotics. She also says that when he sits with his legs up the swelling does go down. His pulse and blood pressure remain constant, not too low. And he has no pain, just fatigue and slight nausea. She still wants to wait for the appointment on Monday.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:

I wouldn't disagree with that.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

without the 'red flag' symptoms, your father can wait for his appointment. Elevation of the legs is the best he can do until then. Many infections commonly cause some degree of fatigue after resolution.

Influenza, for example, may cause fatigue after the fever and the other acute symptoms subsided, which may last for 1-2 weeks. The infection itself is not supposed to cause leg swelling though.

A worsening of a pre-existing right heart dysfunction perhaps with a concomitant degree of venous insufficiency and some degree of water retention exacerbated by the infection or the drugs he'd used are potential explanations for his case.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Panagiotis Zografakis, Internal Medicine Specialist

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Brief Answer:

No sign of active infection?

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

You're welcome! I understand that his doctor ordered some tests. Were there any findings of active infection like a high C-reactive protein level or high white blood cell count? What about his electrolytes? Can you upload the reports? Does he have a fever?

The list of potential causes for fatigue is too long. Some of the commonest ones can be excluded from blood tests, so the reports might be very helpful.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Panagiotis Zografakis, Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (20 minutes later)

Thank you. He started showing infectious symptoms with the fatigue symptoms at the beginning of March and then took Zithromax which didn't seem to work. So the doctor then did some tests and prescribed another antibiotic for 10 days for walking pneumonia. He finished those at the end of March, and the swelling just started a couple of days ago. The fatigue and slight nausea continues. He spends most of his time in his recliner watching television.

Does constipation play any role in this whole situation? Thank you.

I'm sorry, I meant to ask whether the nausea might be caused by constipation. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

it's possible sometimes

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Although we don't expect most patients with constipation to feel nauseous, it is true that extreme constipation (fecal impaction) may sometimes be associated with this symptom. I don't believe that constipation has anything to do with the fatigue or the swollen legs. The appetite can be affected though.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Panagiotis Zografakis, Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar