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Is Travelling Abroad Advisable While Getting Treated For Acute Bronchitis And Sinusitis?
Question: I’ve been sick for 16 days. I was traveling on a plane within the USA. Severe throat pain, achy, lethargic, green mucous, plugged ears. I was given a z-pack. When I finished, I was feeling worse. Went to another clinic (different town)last week and doc said I had acute bronchitis and sinusitis. Gave me ten days of Levofloxan (on day eight). My throat is better, less coughing and mucous, but still feel very achy, totally out of it and weak. I don’t have a Dr here. Would rather not go to ER for blood work. Don’t know if I should wait this out. Was planning a trip out of the country this weekend. Don’t know what to do or if this achy and tiredness is normal going on three weeks.
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Given that these 2 antibiotics did not take care of the problem (did the Levoflox. help noticeably within 48 hours or is it just getting better with time?) I am thinking that this may have been influenza (which can cause a viral bronchitis and sinusitis), and that can have a prolonged recovery with muscle aching and fatigue. Otherwise, I would expect you to have recovered by now.
If you are wanting to go out of the country this weekend, at this point I really do think you need to be seen by a physician. If you don't have one where you are, you can go to an urgent care clinic (not ER) and specifically request to be seen by their most experienced physician (NOT a PA or nurse practitioner). Given the fatigue and aches, the doctor should get a complete blood count with a differential. This will give an idea of anemia and persistent infection. Given that you felt worse after the Z-pack, I also recommend a chemistry panel and liver enzymes.
It may be a prolonged recovery from flu, but it may also be from a different nasty viral infection. I am thinking that a bacterial cause is less likely and that if the Levolfoxacin helped, it may have just been clearing up a secondary bacterial infection (colonization of the mucus by bacteria) but the underlying cause is probably not bacterial.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Given that these 2 antibiotics did not take care of the problem (did the Levoflox. help noticeably within 48 hours or is it just getting better with time?) I am thinking that this may have been influenza (which can cause a viral bronchitis and sinusitis), and that can have a prolonged recovery with muscle aching and fatigue. Otherwise, I would expect you to have recovered by now.
If you are wanting to go out of the country this weekend, at this point I really do think you need to be seen by a physician. If you don't have one where you are, you can go to an urgent care clinic (not ER) and specifically request to be seen by their most experienced physician (NOT a PA or nurse practitioner). Given the fatigue and aches, the doctor should get a complete blood count with a differential. This will give an idea of anemia and persistent infection. Given that you felt worse after the Z-pack, I also recommend a chemistry panel and liver enzymes.
It may be a prolonged recovery from flu, but it may also be from a different nasty viral infection. I am thinking that a bacterial cause is less likely and that if the Levolfoxacin helped, it may have just been clearing up a secondary bacterial infection (colonization of the mucus by bacteria) but the underlying cause is probably not bacterial.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. That makes sense. I’m mostly upset with the severe achiness and out of it feeling. I can’t even think straight. Like I’m burning up but there’s no temperature.
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The burning up but not fever can be from inflammatory mediators being released (cytokines) which the body can respond with to infection or autoimmune problems. It can also cause the achiness.
Did you feel this burning up feeling before you started the Levofloxacin? Also did you have the difficulty concentrating/brain fog before the Levofloxacin? I'm trying to sort out how much of this is from your body's reaction to the infection vs to medication.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Thoughts on this.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The burning up but not fever can be from inflammatory mediators being released (cytokines) which the body can respond with to infection or autoimmune problems. It can also cause the achiness.
Did you feel this burning up feeling before you started the Levofloxacin? Also did you have the difficulty concentrating/brain fog before the Levofloxacin? I'm trying to sort out how much of this is from your body's reaction to the infection vs to medication.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have been feeling the achy and burning up the whole time. I have had my normal blood pressure go up with the levofloxacin and a bit heart racy.
I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to have your help. Definitely will give you the top rating. Thank you. Just want to feel better.
I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to have your help. Definitely will give you the top rating. Thank you. Just want to feel better.
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I do think you should go in to be seen to make sure there isn't an occult infection (such as pneumonia) going on - just in case - with a CBC at least. If there is still an underlying infection, I would expect there to be some fever with that burning up feeling.
If the achiness and fever type symptoms preceded the infection symptoms (i.e. the sore throat, sinus congestion, etc), I would also recommend getting a thyroid test (TSH, free T4 or T3) and autoimmune panel blood work.
Be sure to get as much rest as possible to help your immune system too.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I do think you should go in to be seen to make sure there isn't an occult infection (such as pneumonia) going on - just in case - with a CBC at least. If there is still an underlying infection, I would expect there to be some fever with that burning up feeling.
If the achiness and fever type symptoms preceded the infection symptoms (i.e. the sore throat, sinus congestion, etc), I would also recommend getting a thyroid test (TSH, free T4 or T3) and autoimmune panel blood work.
Be sure to get as much rest as possible to help your immune system too.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh
General & Family Physician
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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