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Are Chest Congestion, Fatigue And Loss Of Appetite Symptoms Of Viral Infection?
Question: Greetings. Seven days ago my GP prescribed my azithromycin in case my respiratory infection needed it in a few days. I used OTC products until yesterday but didn't get well. My main complaint now is fatigue and nasal and chest congestion, and some loss of appetite. I started to feel worse yesterday so I began the azithromycin for 5 days. Is it possible to have a bacterial infection without the symptoms of chills, fever, coughing, green sputum, etc.?
I find myself getting these symptoms almost every single year around the beginning of October. How would you describe such a situation? I think I feel a bit better since starting the antibiotic, but still have congestion (especially in my chest when I take a deep breath) and fatigue and loss of appetite. Thank you.
I find myself getting these symptoms almost every single year around the beginning of October. How would you describe such a situation? I think I feel a bit better since starting the antibiotic, but still have congestion (especially in my chest when I take a deep breath) and fatigue and loss of appetite. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
probably viral infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
your symptoms suggest a viral infection of the upper respiratory system, the common cold probably. Distinguishing viral from bacterial infection based on clinical grounds only is not very accurate though, so nobody can be 100% certain. During the course of common cold various complications may ensue. One of them is sinusitis which may sometimes need antibiotics to resolve sooner.
If it's common cold indeed then a 10-14 days of nasal congestion is expected. If you've got cough it may wear off with the nasal congestion or it may persist for up to 2 months. No fever usually means no complications.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
probably viral infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
your symptoms suggest a viral infection of the upper respiratory system, the common cold probably. Distinguishing viral from bacterial infection based on clinical grounds only is not very accurate though, so nobody can be 100% certain. During the course of common cold various complications may ensue. One of them is sinusitis which may sometimes need antibiotics to resolve sooner.
If it's common cold indeed then a 10-14 days of nasal congestion is expected. If you've got cough it may wear off with the nasal congestion or it may persist for up to 2 months. No fever usually means no complications.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your rapid reply. I guess we are all just too impatient. My experience many years is I go through this and take the antibiotic and get better by about 10 days. Sometimes I only have a mere malaise, and sometimes like last year and this year it's more. I decided to go on with the azithromycin simply because I felt I was feeling "worse" than the previous days instead of better. Is it possible to have a bacterial case with no fever or discolored phlegm?
I guess it will be impossible to know which it was, viral or bacterial if it ends around the end of the 10 days, which is about 4-5 days of antibiotic......
What could trigger the same infection almost every year at almost the same time (between the last days of September and about the 10 of October)? Isn't that unusual?
I guess it will be impossible to know which it was, viral or bacterial if it ends around the end of the 10 days, which is about 4-5 days of antibiotic......
What could trigger the same infection almost every year at almost the same time (between the last days of September and about the 10 of October)? Isn't that unusual?
Brief Answer:
not unusual
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
it is possible to have a bacterial infection, although the odds are very much against it. Most doctors wouldn't prescribe an antibiotic in similar cases. Most viral AND bacterial upper respiratory tract infection are self-limited and will get better by themselves (most of the times!). In case of a bacterial infection, the antibiotic speeds up the resolution and also makes the complications less likely.
It's very common to contract an upper respiratory tract infection at this time of year. Many people do, every year, so don't feel bad about it. And although it may be the same infection (common cold) the pathogen is more likely to be different.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
not unusual
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
it is possible to have a bacterial infection, although the odds are very much against it. Most doctors wouldn't prescribe an antibiotic in similar cases. Most viral AND bacterial upper respiratory tract infection are self-limited and will get better by themselves (most of the times!). In case of a bacterial infection, the antibiotic speeds up the resolution and also makes the complications less likely.
It's very common to contract an upper respiratory tract infection at this time of year. Many people do, every year, so don't feel bad about it. And although it may be the same infection (common cold) the pathogen is more likely to be different.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello, I forgot one question for Dr. Zografakis. Is it theoretically possible to contract both a respiratory virus and respiratory bacteria simultaneously? If so, how would one know if this were the case? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
it's possible
Detailed Answer:
There are various occasions when a simultaneous infection may occur. For example a common cold (viral) evolving into sinusitis (could be bacterial). A viral infection may sometimes predispose the patient to bacterial infection for example during the course of influenza (viral), bacterial pneumonia is possible.
A coincidental infection is not very likely though. A bacterial infection followed by a viral one is an uncommon event.
A viral infection followed by a bacterial one usually presents with worsening of the symptoms and in some cases with high fever (it depends on the involved site). Since the actual symptoms may be different depending on the invaded location, I can't give you a single answer that fits all cases.
Kind Regards!
it's possible
Detailed Answer:
There are various occasions when a simultaneous infection may occur. For example a common cold (viral) evolving into sinusitis (could be bacterial). A viral infection may sometimes predispose the patient to bacterial infection for example during the course of influenza (viral), bacterial pneumonia is possible.
A coincidental infection is not very likely though. A bacterial infection followed by a viral one is an uncommon event.
A viral infection followed by a bacterial one usually presents with worsening of the symptoms and in some cases with high fever (it depends on the involved site). Since the actual symptoms may be different depending on the invaded location, I can't give you a single answer that fits all cases.
Kind Regards!
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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