Suggest Treatment For Flu Symptoms And Numbness At The Finger Tips

Posted on Wed, 6 Jun 2018

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

Wed, 6 Jun 2018 Answered on

Fri, 9 Apr 2021 Last reviewed on

Question : My 31 year old son started falling a few weeks ago. He had been sick with the flu for about a week before and throwing up and not keeping anything down. He also has numbness in his fingertips. Any thoughts of what this could be? He does smoke a lot.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
An involvement of the nervous system to consider.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

In some cases after a viral infection, this infection, or autoimmune changes after it, may affect the central nervous system or peripheral nerves as well.

So, since there is poor balance and falling, an involvement of the spinal cord (transverse myelitis for example) or peripheral nerves ( polyneuropathy ), etc. should be considered and evaluated further.

It is necessary for your son to get evaluated by a Neurologist and, most likely, by imaging tests such spinal cord MRI, nerve conduction study in order to understand your son's condition better.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee