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Suggest Treatment For Cough, Fever And Difficulty Breathing
Question: I've been ill for a week, started with a cough, then fever, then i couln't wake up for a day, then i had to drive home from SF, fever at night, 103.5 two nights ago, currently 100. cough gone from productive to dry...cough so hard i throw up sometimes. short of breath. O2 sats range from 92-96...currently 94. just damned hard to breath. use of albuterol helps at night (no rx of asthma, borrowing my son's inhaler). nearest ER 45 minutes away, local docs all gone for xmas. should i make that trip to the ER or just ride it out? prolly the flu, but it's saturday, i got it last sunday, and i don't seem to be getting any better
Brief Answer:
Don't panic .consult to your physician
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I am Dr XXXXXXX .
I am very sorry for your problems and I will do everything possible from my side .
As you have mentioned you have
1.fever that was initially about 103 F now it is about 100F
2.cough with sputum that has now decreased in frequency and amount
3. Breathlessness that is responding to albuterol
based on this information there are few possibilities
1.acute bronchitis caused by viruses some times associated with bacteria .
2 . pneumonia caused mainly caused by bacteria
I want to assure you that there is no need to panic . Your oxygen saturation is well within normal limit . Don't worry about that.
At this point follow these suggestions
1 . steam inhalation if it is helping you
2.take rest.
3 . drink plenty of fluid
4.diet rich in fruits
5.use inhaler on SOS basis
6 . avoid ccold exposure .
Considering your age and duration of illness
it is always better to consult to your physician
Some blood test and x ray chest is to be done.
Hope this will help you
If you have any other concerns please feel free to message me .
Don't panic .consult to your physician
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I am Dr XXXXXXX .
I am very sorry for your problems and I will do everything possible from my side .
As you have mentioned you have
1.fever that was initially about 103 F now it is about 100F
2.cough with sputum that has now decreased in frequency and amount
3. Breathlessness that is responding to albuterol
based on this information there are few possibilities
1.acute bronchitis caused by viruses some times associated with bacteria .
2 . pneumonia caused mainly caused by bacteria
I want to assure you that there is no need to panic . Your oxygen saturation is well within normal limit . Don't worry about that.
At this point follow these suggestions
1 . steam inhalation if it is helping you
2.take rest.
3 . drink plenty of fluid
4.diet rich in fruits
5.use inhaler on SOS basis
6 . avoid ccold exposure .
Considering your age and duration of illness
it is always better to consult to your physician
Some blood test and x ray chest is to be done.
Hope this will help you
If you have any other concerns please feel free to message me .
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
are there any warning signs that should send me to the ER? thanks for your thorough reply, btw
Brief Answer:
If you are feeling comfortable then it's okay.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I can understand your concern .
Based on information that you have given to me.if you are feeling comfortable then it's okay.
Other wise if you have any Breathlessness or breathlessness that is not responding well to albuterol or you need to use inhaler very frequently , is an indication to visit emergency department .
At present I don't know your vital signs
Such as pulse rate
Blood pressure
Respiratory rate etc
All these are need to be monitored .
But in your case as temperature is decreasing with improvement in cough as well and you are maintaining your saturation and the most important you are feeling well then it's okay. And slowly all will improve . No need to rush to emergency department .
Hope this will help you dear.
If you have any other concerns please feel free to contact me .
If you are feeling comfortable then it's okay.
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I can understand your concern .
Based on information that you have given to me.if you are feeling comfortable then it's okay.
Other wise if you have any Breathlessness or breathlessness that is not responding well to albuterol or you need to use inhaler very frequently , is an indication to visit emergency department .
At present I don't know your vital signs
Such as pulse rate
Blood pressure
Respiratory rate etc
All these are need to be monitored .
But in your case as temperature is decreasing with improvement in cough as well and you are maintaining your saturation and the most important you are feeling well then it's okay. And slowly all will improve . No need to rush to emergency department .
Hope this will help you dear.
If you have any other concerns please feel free to contact me .
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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