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What Causes Tiredness Along With Dry Nose,mouth And Throat?
Question: For a number of years in the spring, fall or winter I get a "bug" that has no real symptoms. No fever, no sneezing, no coughing, sinus headache or sore throat, ONLY a feeling of malaise/tiredness, which lasts up to a week, and maybe some dryness in my nose, mouth and throat, I consider it to be very strange since I don't have the usual symptoms of a cold or flu. How would you describe this kind of "bug" that essentially only exhibits symptoms of tiredness/malaise with nothing else (maybe some louder snoring!)? I seem to feel it worse in the morning and feel better when I take analgesics.
Brief Answer:
It is called subclinical infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
There are many infections that can cause sub-clinical infection. I can enumerate many germs that can cause these symptoms and then resolve without getting noticed. Most fungi cause mild symptoms and low or no fever. They do not even require treatment.
One infection that is worth mentioning is walking pneumonia that can be caused by mycoplasma pneumonia. This condition has very mild symptoms like tiredness, mild flu-like symptoms, headache, some cough, etc.
A throat swab may be of some help to come to a diagnosis.
Regards
Dr Vaishalee
It is called subclinical infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
There are many infections that can cause sub-clinical infection. I can enumerate many germs that can cause these symptoms and then resolve without getting noticed. Most fungi cause mild symptoms and low or no fever. They do not even require treatment.
One infection that is worth mentioning is walking pneumonia that can be caused by mycoplasma pneumonia. This condition has very mild symptoms like tiredness, mild flu-like symptoms, headache, some cough, etc.
A throat swab may be of some help to come to a diagnosis.
Regards
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. Whenever I get this malaise I always think it will develop into a sinus infection, but it just stays as is for a week and then goes away. I feel pretty tired, and feel better with tea or soup and analgesics. But still no regular cold or flu symptoms. Is this as common as regular cold or flu?
Brief Answer:
It is quite common
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
The subclinical infections are very common. More common than cold or flu. While atypical pneumonias and fungal infections are less common than cold/flu.
Treatment is specific for the cause.
Viruses do not need any specific treatment. Mycoplasma pneumonia requires antibiotics but it usually has some findings on chest x-ray.
Dr Vaishalee
It is quite common
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
The subclinical infections are very common. More common than cold or flu. While atypical pneumonias and fungal infections are less common than cold/flu.
Treatment is specific for the cause.
Viruses do not need any specific treatment. Mycoplasma pneumonia requires antibiotics but it usually has some findings on chest x-ray.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Do you mean that what I have with mainly fatigue could be a subclinical infection caused by a fungus?
Brief Answer:
Subclinical infection from some virus
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
It seems like a subclinical infection. Itis most probably from a virus since it stays for a week and then goes away. If it is chronic (from long time), then I would have said fungus. Both do not require treatment.
Bacterial infection can be ruled out with a throat swab.
Dr Vaishalee
Subclinical infection from some virus
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
It seems like a subclinical infection. Itis most probably from a virus since it stays for a week and then goes away. If it is chronic (from long time), then I would have said fungus. Both do not require treatment.
Bacterial infection can be ruled out with a throat swab.
Dr Vaishalee
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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