Having Cough. ESR Test Done. Is There Any Serious Problem?

Posted on Thu, 4 Oct 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 4 Oct 2012 Answered on

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi
My husband is having cough since 3 weeks and he consulted physician and physician suggested an ESR and results are as below.
1st Hour - 30
2nd Hour - 55
Is there any serious problem because ESR results were not in the standard range.
Should I need to be worried?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (4 hours later)

Hello XXXXXXX,

Thanks for posting your query.

Your husband is having chronic cough. Few of the common condition that cause chronic cough are:-

* Smoking
* Chronic lung disease (asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis)
* Gastro-oseophageal disease
* Side effects of some drugs like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
* Infection (post viral, tuberculosis)
* Malignancy
* Other unknown causes (idiopathic).

ESR levels are elevated. However elevated ESR is a non specific indicator of an infection, some connective tissue disorder and tumour. In view of high ESR and chronic cough, his condition concerns me and hence needs evaluation / further assessment to reach the proper diagnosis.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you have more concerns.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad