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What Causes Cough, Sore Throat, Fever And Post Nasal Drips?

Posted on Thu, 28 Apr 2016

Question: nullI have been staying in an ICU setting with my sister who passed on Friday. Over the past 2 weeks. On Sun I started to get really sick started with a cough then sore throat two days later accompanied with fever, nasal discharge and phlegm or the feeling like phlegm is stuck at the back of my throat but cant cough it up. Sweating and an unusual full body weakness and dizzy feeling when I exert myself. The Phlegm started as clear and white now is sorta of a tan yellowish color. Cough is deep in pitch and from the chest lung area not throat. I don't normally feel so lightheaded when catching a cold or flu and was wondering if just whats going around or something more serious since exposed to all the sickness in a hospital? I have type 2 diabetes, SVT and have had a upper back molar that is just about loose enough I am going to pull it myself as I do not have insurance at this time. I don't believe there is infection.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sounds more of a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about these symptoms that you have reported. I have reviewed your symptoms fully and this is suggestive of a possible upper respiratory tract infection caused by a virus. Though you spent time in the ICU, I do not see these symptoms as a possible bacterial infection from the hospital milieu. I will advise that you carry on with symptomatic treatment using Tylenol for pain relief and any possible fevers. Unless something else comes up, there is no reason to seek for immediate further medical care.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Above all, thanks for using our services.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (26 hours later)

My sister just passed from complications of a colonoscopy and advanced stage cancer. My question is that my sister passed at 64 from small cell fast growing carcinoma, our mother passed at 77 from same cancer. My mothers all 4 sisters have passed from some form of cancer as well as 6 female cousins. I am a 52 year old male and would like to know what is the rule when looking at genes, heredity? How does cancer and heredity play out? All the woman on my mothers side are dying from some form of cancer. My father is still living at 88 years of age his father died from emphysema at 89 but smoked 2 packs a day. His mother died from TB when she was 25. I don't know if the rule for cancer is it usually skips a generation or if the mother dies from it usually the mothers genes pass it on or the fathers genes? My father and I have never smoked our whole lives. My father never drank liquor with me social drinker to not really a drinker. Please tell me what rule of thumb is for me relating to getting cancer is? I understand this is not a question that can be answered with exact certainty but with the level of understanding and knowledge about genes, heredity and which parent passes on what give me the best possible guess?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Half of our genes come from our mother and half from our fathers!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Am so sorry to hear about this very disturbing family history of colon cancer. This could be related to a hereditary condition. Discuss this with your treating doctor to see if you can get tested for hereditary conditions which predispose to this.

Also, we receive half of our genes from our mother and half from our father.

I hope this helps. Keep me updated about this.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

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