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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Cough?

I have slight shortness of breath and the beginning of a cough -- a tightness at the very top of my chest, right where the heart is. I exercise in cold weather and here in the East Coast we have had not only cold weather, but extreme changes in temp (80 degree difference between Friday and about 5 days earlier). I feel fine overall, just wanted to know if this is a symptom of the horrible flu that is going around?
Mon, 9 Apr 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

It can be Bronchitis or Respiratory tract infection.

For that, work up should be done as follows:

- Auscultation
- CBC
- Chest x-ray
- Spirometry, if needed to assess severity and to decide further management
- Decongestant like Levocetirizine can be prescribed for cold

If needed, antibiotic course can be prescribed. If flu prevalent in area you are visiting, then throat swab can be taken for rule out flu by PCR testing. If chest pain present in the heart area, then EKG investigation will be helpful.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Parth Goswami
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What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Cough?

Hello, It can be Bronchitis or Respiratory tract infection. For that, work up should be done as follows: - Auscultation - CBC - Chest x-ray - Spirometry, if needed to assess severity and to decide further management - Decongestant like Levocetirizine can be prescribed for cold If needed, antibiotic course can be prescribed. If flu prevalent in area you are visiting, then throat swab can be taken for rule out flu by PCR testing. If chest pain present in the heart area, then EKG investigation will be helpful. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Parth Goswami