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What Causes Fatigue Along With Sinus Congestion And Sneezing?
Question: Hello, again, Dr. Punj. As it turned out, my malaise of 3 days produced common cold symptoms the very next day after I wrote my health question which you answered and which suggested the possibility of a subclinical infection!
Well, my symptoms continued with malaise/fatigue, intermittent nasal and sinus congestion, and intermittent/occasional sneezing (and desire to drink soup and tea). This has continued for a full week, though I do find I am feeling better, though not completely recovered. What kind of virus would linger this long, and is it common? I don't believe I have had "cold" symptoms that have lasted almost 2 weeks. I was starting to worry that it was something more serious. It has now been about 11 days since the malaise began, and a full 8 days since the onset of the symptoms (most especially fatigue).
Well, my symptoms continued with malaise/fatigue, intermittent nasal and sinus congestion, and intermittent/occasional sneezing (and desire to drink soup and tea). This has continued for a full week, though I do find I am feeling better, though not completely recovered. What kind of virus would linger this long, and is it common? I don't believe I have had "cold" symptoms that have lasted almost 2 weeks. I was starting to worry that it was something more serious. It has now been about 11 days since the malaise began, and a full 8 days since the onset of the symptoms (most especially fatigue).
Brief Answer:
11 days means acute
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Nice to have a query from you.
I have read your query. It is hard to figure out the cause from the description you have provided. I need more details like colour of the sputum, sinus congestion etc.
If the colour of sputum is greenish or yellowish then it is most probably bacterial infection, which may not resolve without antibiotics.
Viral infection and allergic rhinitis have clear sputum. Virals may last for more than a week, especially if there is sinus congestion. Almost any virus can cause prolonged illness. Allergies do not have symptoms of fever, malaise and have lots of sneezing.
Having said this much, I think you should try antiallergic medicine like cetirizine to reduce the sputum. It will help reduce the symptoms accompanied with it. If it does not help, then see a doctor for tests and antibiotics (if found bacterial). An x-ray can be done to see if sinuses are involved. Sputum swab is also helpful tp find the bacteria.
You should try to improve your immunity by taking more fruits and exercising daily for 20 min. You should also try drinking clean water to avoid getting recurrent infections.
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
11 days means acute
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Nice to have a query from you.
I have read your query. It is hard to figure out the cause from the description you have provided. I need more details like colour of the sputum, sinus congestion etc.
If the colour of sputum is greenish or yellowish then it is most probably bacterial infection, which may not resolve without antibiotics.
Viral infection and allergic rhinitis have clear sputum. Virals may last for more than a week, especially if there is sinus congestion. Almost any virus can cause prolonged illness. Allergies do not have symptoms of fever, malaise and have lots of sneezing.
Having said this much, I think you should try antiallergic medicine like cetirizine to reduce the sputum. It will help reduce the symptoms accompanied with it. If it does not help, then see a doctor for tests and antibiotics (if found bacterial). An x-ray can be done to see if sinuses are involved. Sputum swab is also helpful tp find the bacteria.
You should try to improve your immunity by taking more fruits and exercising daily for 20 min. You should also try drinking clean water to avoid getting recurrent infections.
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
Need to rule out medical causes of fatigue
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It is either viral or allergy. It is probable that you have allergy. You have had fatigue before this bout of "cold". Fatigue may be from another medical condition and maybe getting worse from this infection/allergy. Thus I would suggest that you go for detailed medical tests.
The probable causes of fatigue can be anemia, worms infestation, under-active thyroid and Multi-Vitamin (A, B complex and D) deficiency; or, constant mental stress.
Get the basic investigations that include complete blood count, thyroid profile, fasting blood sugar, vitamin d, b12 levels, liver and kidney function tests and if possible immunoglobulin levels (to check for low immunity). These tests will also help differentiate between infection and allergy. If you have already done these tests, please upload their reports.
Take Vitamin A & D and B-complex supplements TWICE daily initially. It should be taken after documenting deficiency. Further treatment would depend on the tests' reports.
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Need to rule out medical causes of fatigue
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It is either viral or allergy. It is probable that you have allergy. You have had fatigue before this bout of "cold". Fatigue may be from another medical condition and maybe getting worse from this infection/allergy. Thus I would suggest that you go for detailed medical tests.
The probable causes of fatigue can be anemia, worms infestation, under-active thyroid and Multi-Vitamin (A, B complex and D) deficiency; or, constant mental stress.
Get the basic investigations that include complete blood count, thyroid profile, fasting blood sugar, vitamin d, b12 levels, liver and kidney function tests and if possible immunoglobulin levels (to check for low immunity). These tests will also help differentiate between infection and allergy. If you have already done these tests, please upload their reports.
Take Vitamin A & D and B-complex supplements TWICE daily initially. It should be taken after documenting deficiency. Further treatment would depend on the tests' reports.
Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you. Ironically I did an annual blood test just two weeks before the onset of the malaise, and found the relevant numbers were in normal range (except a little high for glucose at 119, A1C at 6.3%, and HDL at 37). I am feeling somewhat better today, but have found that I feel less well in the evenings than during the day.
Brief Answer:
Normal reports are reassuring
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
It is reassuring to know that you have normal reports and that you are getting better.
So your fatigue can be attributed to the infection. Since it is getting better by itself, it is viral in nature. Feeling less well during evening is understandable during infections. Fatigue sometimes outlasts the infection.
You should followup for blood glucose levels-fasting. A repeat complete blood count may be helpful. A sputum swab is also helpful. Were you exposed to tuberculosis (like travel to endemic areas)?
Dr Vaishalee
Normal reports are reassuring
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
It is reassuring to know that you have normal reports and that you are getting better.
So your fatigue can be attributed to the infection. Since it is getting better by itself, it is viral in nature. Feeling less well during evening is understandable during infections. Fatigue sometimes outlasts the infection.
You should followup for blood glucose levels-fasting. A repeat complete blood count may be helpful. A sputum swab is also helpful. Were you exposed to tuberculosis (like travel to endemic areas)?
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Cause with a throat swab
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Mostly this type of malaise is seen in flu viral. But is also accompanied by high fever.
Cause can be found with a throat swab.
It will get better within a few days.
Dr Vaishalee
Cause with a throat swab
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Mostly this type of malaise is seen in flu viral. But is also accompanied by high fever.
Cause can be found with a throat swab.
It will get better within a few days.
Dr Vaishalee
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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