Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Remedy For Chills, Cough And Lethargy
Question: Hi, Ive had a flu type virus. 3 weeks later I still have chills (now and then), a cough and lethargy (not debilitating), I dont feel 100% at all. I do not have a rash or ulcers and my heart rate averages 60 when resting so i dont have a fever (whereas when I went to the docs and she told me i had a virus, my heart rate was 150 bpm and 38.8dgs fever). I am terrified of Aids as ive read that long recovery times are common when you progress towards Aids. I dont have diareeha or weight loss either and my appetite is very healthy. Its the muscle chills and cough that worry me! What do you think? I have had unprotected sex in the past.
Brief Answer:
You are in recovery phase of viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query.
I understand your concern and situation.
You had a viral infection like influenza virus, para influenza virus,Respiratory syncytial virus, etc which cause such infection. There is no need to worry as often these symptoms last for few weeks because patients develop laryngitis, pharyngitis and bronchitis. If symptoms worsen then risk of secondary infection. Just take cough suppressant, saline gargle and antihistamines if needed. Take good balanced diet with multivitamins and calcium supplements. This is not HIV if you had unprotected sex in past then you can get4 th generation ELISA TEST done to rule out for your psychological satisfaction. If respiratory problems aggravate then visit pulmonologist. I see no need to worry. Avoid allergens and take adequate rest.
Hope I answered your query.
Best of health
You can take a follow-up query
If no clarifications then you can close the discussion and rate the answer and write a review.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
Infectious diseases Specialist
You are in recovery phase of viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query.
I understand your concern and situation.
You had a viral infection like influenza virus, para influenza virus,Respiratory syncytial virus, etc which cause such infection. There is no need to worry as often these symptoms last for few weeks because patients develop laryngitis, pharyngitis and bronchitis. If symptoms worsen then risk of secondary infection. Just take cough suppressant, saline gargle and antihistamines if needed. Take good balanced diet with multivitamins and calcium supplements. This is not HIV if you had unprotected sex in past then you can get4 th generation ELISA TEST done to rule out for your psychological satisfaction. If respiratory problems aggravate then visit pulmonologist. I see no need to worry. Avoid allergens and take adequate rest.
Hope I answered your query.
Best of health
You can take a follow-up query
If no clarifications then you can close the discussion and rate the answer and write a review.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
Infectious diseases Specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you! My concern is it never takes me this long to recover. I am 40 yrs old and weight 238 lbs (approx). I dont drink or smoke and excercise daily (500 press-ups per day). I have a muscular build and visit the gym regularly. Its easy to be paranoid but when you dont feel 100% and feeling it a bit of a struggle to get better, you ask questions. One last question; when people are in the Aids stage (3rd stage I believe) what are the obvious signs and do they occurr quickly? Also if they are not treated would they recover or just keep getting worse?
Brief Answer:
It is more likely to be viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
The symptoms of AIDS are chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, recurring infections, fever, night sweats, genital ulcers, lesion on tongue, skin infections, lymph node enlarged, chronic cough. These do not occur in short duration but take prolonged time to develop.
If you are concerned about past sexual intercourse, received blood transfusion or shared needles then you can visit healthcare providers. Get tested by antigen antibodies based ELISA TEST after counselling. This will clear your doubts and worries.Treatment of HIV is based on CD4 a immune system marker for initiation of antiretroviral therapy. As your case does not appear HIV but a prolonged respiratory virus episode.
Take care.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
It is more likely to be viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
The symptoms of AIDS are chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, recurring infections, fever, night sweats, genital ulcers, lesion on tongue, skin infections, lymph node enlarged, chronic cough. These do not occur in short duration but take prolonged time to develop.
If you are concerned about past sexual intercourse, received blood transfusion or shared needles then you can visit healthcare providers. Get tested by antigen antibodies based ELISA TEST after counselling. This will clear your doubts and worries.Treatment of HIV is based on CD4 a immune system marker for initiation of antiretroviral therapy. As your case does not appear HIV but a prolonged respiratory virus episode.
Take care.
Dr. Sheetal Verma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thanks. I have read that toe nail discolouration is a symptom of hiv/aids. I have attached a photo. How do you yhink this looks? Thanks .
Brief Answer:
Skin infection called dermatophytosis.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back..
Your toe infection is most likely due to fungal (dermatophytes)which causes discolored nails and this looks same in your case. The term is called onychomycosis. The treatment of topical and systemic antifungal is needed like griseofulvin, azoles, etc for more than 3 months. It takes time to go. Do you have any diabetes, chronic medical conditions of heart or liver
It can be due to that too. Get your property evaluation done by physician.
Maintain the hygiene of body and avoid immersion of legs in water for long. as it is most important. Such infections are very rarely seen in HIV when candidiasis causes such presentation.
Skin infection called dermatophytosis.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back..
Your toe infection is most likely due to fungal (dermatophytes)which causes discolored nails and this looks same in your case. The term is called onychomycosis. The treatment of topical and systemic antifungal is needed like griseofulvin, azoles, etc for more than 3 months. It takes time to go. Do you have any diabetes, chronic medical conditions of heart or liver
It can be due to that too. Get your property evaluation done by physician.
Maintain the hygiene of body and avoid immersion of legs in water for long. as it is most important. Such infections are very rarely seen in HIV when candidiasis causes such presentation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thanks. I do not have this anywhere on my body, just slightly on the nail. Last question is; in regards to feeling cold; i seem now to take adverse reactions to cold ie i get cold easily. What causes this? Post viral symptom?
Brief Answer:
Low immunity and other diseases.
Detailed Answer:
If you are getting cold recurring several times it could be due to hypothyroidism, food allergies, high histamine levels, adrenal lethargy or weakened immune system or chronic sinusitis. You must do health-promoting lifestyle, stress management, exercise, diet, and the appropriate use of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines. Get evaluated yourself for above diseases from a physician. Post-viral cough is that the receptors that are responsible for stimulating the cough during the respiratory tract infection are up-regulated by respiratory tract infection and continue to stimulate after the virus has disappeares. Post-viral cough is usuallyresistant to treatment. It goes away on its own but if necessary cough suppressants containing codeine may be taken. Inhaled steroids may also help. Nasal steroids or pseudoephedrine might also be helpful.
Take care.
I hope I answered your query.
If no clarifications then you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Write a review at your pleasure.
Best of health.
Low immunity and other diseases.
Detailed Answer:
If you are getting cold recurring several times it could be due to hypothyroidism, food allergies, high histamine levels, adrenal lethargy or weakened immune system or chronic sinusitis. You must do health-promoting lifestyle, stress management, exercise, diet, and the appropriate use of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines. Get evaluated yourself for above diseases from a physician. Post-viral cough is that the receptors that are responsible for stimulating the cough during the respiratory tract infection are up-regulated by respiratory tract infection and continue to stimulate after the virus has disappeares. Post-viral cough is usuallyresistant to treatment. It goes away on its own but if necessary cough suppressants containing codeine may be taken. Inhaled steroids may also help. Nasal steroids or pseudoephedrine might also be helpful.
Take care.
I hope I answered your query.
If no clarifications then you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Write a review at your pleasure.
Best of health.
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
