What Causes Persistent Shortness Of Breath Along With Severe Cough?

Posted on Wed, 25 Mar 2015

Question: i have been taking foracort from last 1 and a half year but not on regular basis i take it only when feel uneasy. but now days i ahve been regularly facing shortness of breath and since then i take it on daily basis but my cough is not in control and i still have asthma issue. i do not have cold and cough but i do cough due to short XXXXXXX of breath, is this issue can be relative to swine flu?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get done chest x ray and PFT.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Swine flu is more common and more severe in patients with respiratory problems.
So better to get done chest x ray and PFT ( pulmonary function test ).
Chest x ray is needed to rule out lung infection (pneumonia ).
If chest x ray is normal then no need to worry much for swine flu.
Uncontrolled asthma can also cause similar symptoms.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done PFT ( pulmonary function test ).
And start appropriate treatment. You need regular inhaled bronchodilators and oral antihistamine and anti allergic drug.
Since all these drugs are prescribed medicines, you need doctor's prescription for these.
So no need to worry much for swine flu, but better to get it checked by chest x ray.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

I do not have fever, but i become restless more when i think i might have swine flu... can i get myself vaccinated even though i have asthma, will that not be a issue and can i get the chest x ray done without doctors prescription.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
First consult doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Swine flu vaccine is live accentuated vaccine. And it is not to be given in acute infection.
So in your case, we should first rule of acute infection and if it is absent then you can take swine flu vaccine.
And you need prescription for chest x ray.
You will also need prescription for vaccine.
So better to consult pulmonologist and first rule out acute infection.
Control of asthma should be given priority in your case.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

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

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 days later)

Hello doctor, I have got my chest x ray done and its normal so o should now not be worried about swine flu . N I should concentrate on asthma rite? Or I still hv scope of swine flu?
doctor my breath is get low when i get up and i feel very weak
one more thing i forgot to mention that is i have GERD can be a by laryngospasm?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry for swine flu.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Since your chest x ray is normal, no need to worry much for swine flu.
And you can take swine flu vaccine now to protect yourself from future swine flu disease.
I think your symptoms are mostly due to uncontrolled asthma.
So please let me know
1. Have you done PFT ( pulmonary function test ) report recently?
2. Which drugs you are taking for asthma?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E