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Suggest Treatment For Upper Respiratory Infection

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Posted on Mon, 18 Apr 2016
Question: My wife has had a sinus / upper respiratory infection for a month. After 2 weeks, we decided it probably was not viral, went to our MD who Rxed Augmentin. The coughing / nasal and respiratory mucus production did not subside after the med, so he Rxed Cefdinir 300mg bid which she is still taking. Though not gone the symptoms have decreased. Today an Endodontist performed a root canal on her while she was under the effects of Halcion...made her sleepy and dizzy as expected. Now, 10 hours later, she has developed a fever of 101.0 and experienced chills. No traditional symptoms of drug allergy. Her only med allergy is to Avalox (rash). Age 66 a little over weight but no other general health issues. Should we just monitor until morning or head to ER? With such a long course of antibiotics and then dental proceedure, I'm concerned about C-diff or sepsis.
XXXXXXX XXXX; XXXXXXX IN
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
ER for change in antibiotic/Endodontist's advise./ self care would help.

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for your query on Health care magic platform.
I have gone through your query carefully & understand your concern.
* Your wife had sinus & upper respiratory tract infection.. for which you tried home medicine& waited for 2 weeks thinking it to be viral. Actually any viral infection subsides in a span of 5-7 days with symptomatic treatment. .. unless it is secondarily infected with some bacteria.So.. please remember to consult doctor when fever ( suspected to be viral ) does not subside in 5 days time.
- She was given two antibiotic for the infection (Agumentin & Cefdinir. Later is still continued.)
_ She had undergone Root canal treatment while on Cefdinir so he might not have given any other antibiotics to cover possible infection.
The bacteria might have gone resistant to the long given antibiotic.. thus the new root canal lesion was subjected to bacteria resistant to the antibiotic Cefdinir, thus causing infection & fever.
* She has high grade fever after the procedure , which suggests infection...
In this scenario, you should either move to ER & get another antibiotic for her & see your Endodontist tomorrow for his expert advise( He may add few more pills for pain relief & anti inflammation ).
* In such cases I would suggest few more things-
- Get your wife's blood sugar checked( high blood sugar hampers control of infection/ healing.
- Culture & sensitivity test of oral mucus / expectorant.. would give a list of
antibiotics to which the bacteria are sensitive.
_ As she had been on antibiotics for long, she should be given B complex/ vitamin c/ high protein diet for improving her health & healing.
* Self care-
- Continue hot saline gargles/ nasal vapor inhalation.
- gargle after each eating.
- Do not foment/ apply pain relieving ointment from outside .
- Take medicines regularly.
I feel this way you can control the infection & overcome your wife's problem.
I have tried to provide you sumptuous information which would help you. I hope you appreciate that. Any follow up query is welcome.
Please grade the answer before closing the query... if you find it useful.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (10 hours later)
The fever has subsided to near normal this morning. We are continuing with ibuprofen and have a call in to the endodontist.
Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vasudha (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Recovery would follow with expert advise/ personal care/ few precaustions.

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for the follow up response.
I am happy that the fever has subsided with continued Ibuprofen ( which has pain relieving/ anti inflammatory & anti fever action ) itself.

It's also good that you have an appointment with your endodontist.. who will examine her locally & decide about presence of infection & need of change/ culture& sensitivity test/ for antibiotic.
Local hygiene( gargling) / avoiding pressure ( biting hard food ) on site of procedure/ Avoiding sticky food... along with medicines advised by endodontist would heal her in due time.
Any other information required. I would be happy to help.
Wishing her a quick recovery.
Thank you..
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
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Vasudha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1970

Answered : 10399 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Upper Respiratory Infection

Brief Answer: ER for change in antibiotic/Endodontist's advise./ self care would help. Detailed Answer: Hi xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Thanks for your query on Health care magic platform. I have gone through your query carefully & understand your concern. * Your wife had sinus & upper respiratory tract infection.. for which you tried home medicine& waited for 2 weeks thinking it to be viral. Actually any viral infection subsides in a span of 5-7 days with symptomatic treatment. .. unless it is secondarily infected with some bacteria.So.. please remember to consult doctor when fever ( suspected to be viral ) does not subside in 5 days time. - She was given two antibiotic for the infection (Agumentin & Cefdinir. Later is still continued.) _ She had undergone Root canal treatment while on Cefdinir so he might not have given any other antibiotics to cover possible infection. The bacteria might have gone resistant to the long given antibiotic.. thus the new root canal lesion was subjected to bacteria resistant to the antibiotic Cefdinir, thus causing infection & fever. * She has high grade fever after the procedure , which suggests infection... In this scenario, you should either move to ER & get another antibiotic for her & see your Endodontist tomorrow for his expert advise( He may add few more pills for pain relief & anti inflammation ). * In such cases I would suggest few more things- - Get your wife's blood sugar checked( high blood sugar hampers control of infection/ healing. - Culture & sensitivity test of oral mucus / expectorant.. would give a list of antibiotics to which the bacteria are sensitive. _ As she had been on antibiotics for long, she should be given B complex/ vitamin c/ high protein diet for improving her health & healing. * Self care- - Continue hot saline gargles/ nasal vapor inhalation. - gargle after each eating. - Do not foment/ apply pain relieving ointment from outside . - Take medicines regularly. I feel this way you can control the infection & overcome your wife's problem. I have tried to provide you sumptuous information which would help you. I hope you appreciate that. Any follow up query is welcome. Please grade the answer before closing the query... if you find it useful. Thanks.