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What Causes Severe Cough While Treating Stage 4 Glioblastoma?

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Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Question: How can I tell if my husband's cold is pnuemonia? 69 bad cough diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma XXXXXXX removed tumor and he has had first round of chemo and radiation. Due to start second chemo this week. I have emailed oncology nurses but it is Sunday and I dont expect a response until morning.
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Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This will be hard to tell if it's penumonia

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

Thanks for writing.

I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. I have read your question completely, i understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.

There is no definite way to tell if it's pneumonia without getting the bloog works..examination and Xrays done.

Cough may be due to effects of chemo or other meds he is taking, patients on chemo are also prone to infections which would not effect one in normal circumstances.

It might be penumonia or may be any other infection here in any case he would be needing a checkup and blood works to determine what it is.

Common symptoms of pneumonia are Fever..cough..chest pain..body aches...may be shortness of breath.. body aches lethargy etc.. but as he is on chemo he might be having this feeling of weakness and lethargy already.

I would suggest you to do a few things till you get a response from medical team. Even if it's pneumonia he would need antibiotics which would be prescribed by a medical professional according to some evidence in examination or blood works. You can try to relieve his symptoms though till then.

1) Steam inhallation helps.
2) Over the counter lozenges are helpful.
3) Consistant proper hydration of throat helps.
4) Avoiding sour foods.
5) Over the counter cough syrups but I would suggest you to keep it as last resort. And avoid it if possible.

Don't panic ask him to take good bit of rest till you can discuss with his medical team.


I hope this answered your question, a
if you have more please feel free to ask.

Regrads.



Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.

M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)

Resident M.D.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Muhammad Ahmad

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1308 Questions

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What Causes Severe Cough While Treating Stage 4 Glioblastoma?

Brief Answer: This will be hard to tell if it's penumonia Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic. Thanks for writing. I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. I have read your question completely, i understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible. There is no definite way to tell if it's pneumonia without getting the bloog works..examination and Xrays done. Cough may be due to effects of chemo or other meds he is taking, patients on chemo are also prone to infections which would not effect one in normal circumstances. It might be penumonia or may be any other infection here in any case he would be needing a checkup and blood works to determine what it is. Common symptoms of pneumonia are Fever..cough..chest pain..body aches...may be shortness of breath.. body aches lethargy etc.. but as he is on chemo he might be having this feeling of weakness and lethargy already. I would suggest you to do a few things till you get a response from medical team. Even if it's pneumonia he would need antibiotics which would be prescribed by a medical professional according to some evidence in examination or blood works. You can try to relieve his symptoms though till then. 1) Steam inhallation helps. 2) Over the counter lozenges are helpful. 3) Consistant proper hydration of throat helps. 4) Avoiding sour foods. 5) Over the counter cough syrups but I would suggest you to keep it as last resort. And avoid it if possible. Don't panic ask him to take good bit of rest till you can discuss with his medical team. I hope this answered your question, a if you have more please feel free to ask. Regrads. Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician) Resident M.D.