What Causes An Upper Respiratory Infection And Cough?

Posted on Tue, 14 Feb 2017

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

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 Answered on

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 42 y old female. I have a sudden loss of smell in the last day or two. I have an upper respiratory infection with bad coughing, but have had very little congestion in my nose or sinuses. I am wondering if this could be a side effect from any of the meds I have been taking and if I should stop any of them.
Recently taking musinex, hydracodone, and IB prophen as needed for past week. Yesterday I started a z pack and am taking musinex and sudephed . Could any of these or combination of them lead to a anosmia?
My father developed Anosmia in his early 50s, but doctors did not detect cause.

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Anosmia

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for putting up the query,

Neither of the medicines you are taking seem to cause any smell disturbance. It can be due to nasal congestion only.
My advise is use a steroid nasal spray and take a zinc supplement.
It will probably improve in few days as the nasal congestion will subside.
Also get a thyroid function test done and follow up with the reports.

Wishing you a speedy recovery

Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy