Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Suggest Treatment For Cough And Joints Pain
I thought I had the flu but not so sure now. Everything hurts from the feet to the hairline. And by the end of the day I can barely get in to bet and it is a huge struggle to get out to go to the bathroom and then I have another huge sturgle to get off the toilet and back to bed. I cough a lot, almost continually at night. It starts to get better about 3 in the morning. Joints are not hurting but seems like everything is. I am a 72 year old female. Widow. And I live alone. I need to be able to keep living alone. I can t afford a nursing home.
Mon, 21 Jan 2019
Hello,
How long have you been sick with current symptoms? Your symptoms are non-specific symptoms which means they may come from many different causes including flu, arthritis or both.
If your symptoms are new onset occurred within last few days to weeks, I cannot rule out influenza (flu) as you suspected. It sounds you have respiratory symptoms as well.
Any virus can cause current symptoms such as body aches or joint pain, but especially influenza is one of those viruses that can cause more systemic symptoms such as joint pain, muscle aches, body aches, extreme fatigue and also affects GI systems such as nausea or vomiting.
You might not have all of the symptoms though. However as I mentioned to you above, since I cannot rule out other conditions such as osteoarthritis, you may want to follow up with a local doctor if symptoms continue to get worse at anytime or persistent without any improvement in a week or so.
At this time, I suggest to work on oral hydration, immune booster with vitamin C with zinc, Tylenol and Ibuprofen (as long as you have no other health condition that prevents taking Ibuprofen) for joint pain/body aches and continue to monitor progress.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Katie Lee, General & Family Physician
How long have you been sick with current symptoms? Your symptoms are non-specific symptoms which means they may come from many different causes including flu, arthritis or both.
If your symptoms are new onset occurred within last few days to weeks, I cannot rule out influenza (flu) as you suspected. It sounds you have respiratory symptoms as well.
Any virus can cause current symptoms such as body aches or joint pain, but especially influenza is one of those viruses that can cause more systemic symptoms such as joint pain, muscle aches, body aches, extreme fatigue and also affects GI systems such as nausea or vomiting.
You might not have all of the symptoms though. However as I mentioned to you above, since I cannot rule out other conditions such as osteoarthritis, you may want to follow up with a local doctor if symptoms continue to get worse at anytime or persistent without any improvement in a week or so.
At this time, I suggest to work on oral hydration, immune booster with vitamin C with zinc, Tylenol and Ibuprofen (as long as you have no other health condition that prevents taking Ibuprofen) for joint pain/body aches and continue to monitor progress.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Katie Lee, General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....