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What Causes Swallowing Difficulty, Fatigue, Constant Cough And Rib Cage Pain?
Posted on
Wed, 30 Mar 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 30 Mar 2016
Answered on
Mon, 18 Jul 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi,
I have had an ongoing issue for roughly 6 weeks now that has got me concerned.
I have been to a doctor recently who said I didn’t have a fever, and that it might just be related to a minor infection or virus and it would go away with some paracetamol.
About 1 week has passed since then, and while one of my symptoms has eased, another one has gotten worse.
Symptoms:
Difficulty swallowing, which was at a 8/10 in terms of discomfort is now at about 2/10. Just to clarify , it just feels like at the bottom of my throat where it meets the clavicle/collar bone is where I feel the difficulty swallowing part.
Fatigue and general malaise
Constant need to cough, with very little no no flem coming up.
The main concern around my cough is that it is coming from the lower chest area, almost my stomach, at the bottom of my rib cage. It feels like my lung capacity is hindered and it causing me to perform a minor cough.
I do get puffed walking short distances and have minor headaches after walking sometimes, however, I don’t have a history of asthma and in fact the doctor who I visited last week ruled it out.
Every now and then I wake up with a minor headache , but recently, I have been waking up with the feeling of something hindering my lungs and not having the full capacity I should have.
The reason I have directed this question to the specialist is this is what I'm most concerned it could be from reading up my symptoms on the web.
The concern is also around the fact that I have previously (2-3 years ago with less than 5 different girls) had unprotected sex.
Please help!
I have had an ongoing issue for roughly 6 weeks now that has got me concerned.
I have been to a doctor recently who said I didn’t have a fever, and that it might just be related to a minor infection or virus and it would go away with some paracetamol.
About 1 week has passed since then, and while one of my symptoms has eased, another one has gotten worse.
Symptoms:
Difficulty swallowing, which was at a 8/10 in terms of discomfort is now at about 2/10. Just to clarify , it just feels like at the bottom of my throat where it meets the clavicle/collar bone is where I feel the difficulty swallowing part.
Fatigue and general malaise
Constant need to cough, with very little no no flem coming up.
The main concern around my cough is that it is coming from the lower chest area, almost my stomach, at the bottom of my rib cage. It feels like my lung capacity is hindered and it causing me to perform a minor cough.
I do get puffed walking short distances and have minor headaches after walking sometimes, however, I don’t have a history of asthma and in fact the doctor who I visited last week ruled it out.
Every now and then I wake up with a minor headache , but recently, I have been waking up with the feeling of something hindering my lungs and not having the full capacity I should have.
The reason I have directed this question to the specialist is this is what I'm most concerned it could be from reading up my symptoms on the web.
The concern is also around the fact that I have previously (2-3 years ago with less than 5 different girls) had unprotected sex.
Please help!
Brief Answer:
Get tested for HIV 1&2 antibodies
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Welcome to health care magic. I have gone through the details and can make out your anxiety.
The symptoms are non specific and may not be related to HIV. These may be due to anxiety or simple respiratory infection. Your doctor also has suggested the same.
You can get tested for HIV 1&2 antibodies ( Elisa) now.It will totally relieve your anxiety.The results will be Conclusive.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereolgist
Get tested for HIV 1&2 antibodies
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Welcome to health care magic. I have gone through the details and can make out your anxiety.
The symptoms are non specific and may not be related to HIV. These may be due to anxiety or simple respiratory infection. Your doctor also has suggested the same.
You can get tested for HIV 1&2 antibodies ( Elisa) now.It will totally relieve your anxiety.The results will be Conclusive.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venereolgist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank for your quick reply, I have had several Answers from the site indicating anxiety .
What are the actual chances I could have contracted hiv?
Can a hiv infected person show my symptoms after 2-3 years of potential exposure.
How bad is hiv ?
What are the actual chances I could have contracted hiv?
Can a hiv infected person show my symptoms after 2-3 years of potential exposure.
How bad is hiv ?
Brief Answer:
HIV is considered as a chronic disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
HIV can remain asymptomatic for many months to years.Some develop opportuniistic infections which can give us a clue towards HIV infection.
The symptoms mentioned do not suggest HIV.
HIV now is considered as a chronic disease just like diabetes or hypertension. They need to be under regular check up ,treatment ,and follow safe precautions.
The chances of HIV transmission by single unprotected intercourse with a HIV positive person is 1/200 to 1/1000.It is low.If they are negative no chance.
Do not worry. Just get tested and be relieved of anxiety.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
HIV is considered as a chronic disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
HIV can remain asymptomatic for many months to years.Some develop opportuniistic infections which can give us a clue towards HIV infection.
The symptoms mentioned do not suggest HIV.
HIV now is considered as a chronic disease just like diabetes or hypertension. They need to be under regular check up ,treatment ,and follow safe precautions.
The chances of HIV transmission by single unprotected intercourse with a HIV positive person is 1/200 to 1/1000.It is low.If they are negative no chance.
Do not worry. Just get tested and be relieved of anxiety.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello and thanks again for your replies.
Finally I would like to ask , if you suggest my symptoms don't point straight towards hiv , what would symptoms have to be for you to think possibly it might be hiv? What are the symptoms to really watch out for ?
Finally I would like to ask , if you suggest my symptoms don't point straight towards hiv , what would symptoms have to be for you to think possibly it might be hiv? What are the symptoms to really watch out for ?
Brief Answer:
Symptoms mentioned
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
HIV can remain asymptomatic for many months to years.Some symptoms whch can make a doctor Think of HIV are Cough ,diarrhea, significant weight loss, persistent generalised lymphadenopathy(present in more than 3 sites) for more than 1 month.
Some develop opportuniistic infections which can give us a clue towards HIV infection.These may be in the form of Tuberculosis,CMV,cryptococus etc.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Symptoms mentioned
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
HIV can remain asymptomatic for many months to years.Some symptoms whch can make a doctor Think of HIV are Cough ,diarrhea, significant weight loss, persistent generalised lymphadenopathy(present in more than 3 sites) for more than 1 month.
Some develop opportuniistic infections which can give us a clue towards HIV infection.These may be in the form of Tuberculosis,CMV,cryptococus etc.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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