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What Causes Dry Cough And Tightness In Chest?
I have had a dry cough and tightness in my chest for 8 days. No fever, but I am fatigued and achy. No other symptoms. I took Robitussin DM for a few days and started taking Mucinex DM instead last night. The cough is not productive. Should I see a doctor or is this viral?
posted on
Sat, 12 Apr 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 29 Apr 2014
Answered on
Tue, 29 Apr 2014
Last reviewed on
Hello!
I had gone through your query and understand your concern.
If it is a viral infection you would have runny,stuffy nose,watery eyes.If you have had this than it is a upper respiratory infection due to a virus.
It also can be gastroesophageal reflux disease that can cause this tightness in chest and dry cough.You can take Pantoprazole twice a day 30 min before meals for a few days and see how you will feel.
If I were your treating doctor just for precaution I would do some tests to exclude heart disease such as ECG,Stress test and heart ultrasound.
If these symptoms continue and get worse even after taking this drug I suggest to see a doctor to find out the right cause and get the right treatment.
Hope it answered to your query.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
I had gone through your query and understand your concern.
If it is a viral infection you would have runny,stuffy nose,watery eyes.If you have had this than it is a upper respiratory infection due to a virus.
It also can be gastroesophageal reflux disease that can cause this tightness in chest and dry cough.You can take Pantoprazole twice a day 30 min before meals for a few days and see how you will feel.
If I were your treating doctor just for precaution I would do some tests to exclude heart disease such as ECG,Stress test and heart ultrasound.
If these symptoms continue and get worse even after taking this drug I suggest to see a doctor to find out the right cause and get the right treatment.
Hope it answered to your query.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
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