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Are Trembling Hands, Weakness, Fatigue, Thick Sticky Saliva, Painful Knots At The Base Of The Skull A Viral Infection?
Question: do the symptoms i listed sound like a viral infection. hands trembling, weakness, fatigue, thick sticky saliva, nodules in neck sore and swollen, painful knots at the base of skull. 65 year old man. has had viral infections in the past and was poisened by insecticide (almost died) 35 years ago. has gotten so bad he doesnt feel like doing anything.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It is unlikely for a non-specific viral infection to go on for over a month like this. If there has been no improvement, I strongly recommend he go in to see a doctor (and NOT a PA or NP) for a thorough evaluation which should include a full physical (be sure to mention the nodules so the doctor does a good exam of these) and certain lab tests.
Here is what I would order for labs and why:
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC) with manual differential (peripheral smear).
Looking for signs of infection, anemia, iron deficiency, inflammation (autoimmune or malignant).
2. TSH and free T4
To check thyroid function which can cause fatigue and weakness
3. C-reactive proteine or ESR (sed rate)
To get a general idea of the amount of inflammation that may be going on and to guid further tests.
4. Chemistry panel
Checks blood sugar, kidney function, electrolyte balance
5. Liver panel
Because of his history of organophosphate poisoning, I'd want to see if his liver is functioning well.
The main test though to get started with would be the CBC with differential.
So no, don't wait further if there has been no improvement. He should be evaluated now.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It is unlikely for a non-specific viral infection to go on for over a month like this. If there has been no improvement, I strongly recommend he go in to see a doctor (and NOT a PA or NP) for a thorough evaluation which should include a full physical (be sure to mention the nodules so the doctor does a good exam of these) and certain lab tests.
Here is what I would order for labs and why:
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC) with manual differential (peripheral smear).
Looking for signs of infection, anemia, iron deficiency, inflammation (autoimmune or malignant).
2. TSH and free T4
To check thyroid function which can cause fatigue and weakness
3. C-reactive proteine or ESR (sed rate)
To get a general idea of the amount of inflammation that may be going on and to guid further tests.
4. Chemistry panel
Checks blood sugar, kidney function, electrolyte balance
5. Liver panel
Because of his history of organophosphate poisoning, I'd want to see if his liver is functioning well.
The main test though to get started with would be the CBC with differential.
So no, don't wait further if there has been no improvement. He should be evaluated now.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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