What Causes Severe Cough And Night Sweats?

Posted on Wed, 27 Apr 2016

Question: Hi, I have been ill for the last 12 days. Mainly coughing and experiencing night sweats. I had bad fever at the beginning (up to over 39 degrees) but now I really only have it in the evenings and it's up, to say 38 degrees XXXXXXX I've been to the doctor twice now, and on Tuesday I was given Amoxicillin (I've had 7 500mg doses so far). But I can't see improvement and I am worried about these night sweats as I have never had that symptom before amd I get absolutely drenched. I'm also worried, because Google search offers quite worrying results when you type in cough and night sweats in (TB). On the other hand, the doctor said my lungs are clear based on listening to my chest. What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Get done blood test and Chest x ray.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Your cough and night sweats are not improving with antibiotic.
So better to first diagnose yourself and then start appropriate treatment.
For this, you should get done chest x ray and blood reports like CBC (complete blood count).
Chest x ray is needed to rule out pneumonia and tuberculosis because both these can cause cough and night sweats.
You can take paracetamol tablet for night sweats.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar