Resolved question:
I have had bronchitis for the last 4 weeks or so and because it did not cause much discomfort or fever did not really take care of it. As of two days ago I have had an increasing fever up to close to 103 accompanied with extreme headaches and a very sore throat that makes it very painful to swallow. also I feel there is much pressure on my face and forehead which also does not let me sleep. Unfortunately since its the weekend the only doctor I can see is the ER. Should I wait it out till monday or go through with the ER. I am in considerable pain and discomfort from the headaches specifically. Thanks
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com.
I understand your concern and will do my best to help you.
You seem to be having an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), mainly involving your sinuses and throat. Your headaches and pressure on the face and forehead are due to sinus congestion. Throat pain is due to inflammation of the pharynx and/or tonsils. This seems to a new infection that you have acquired recently and not a result of the bronchitis.
URTIs are more commonly viral (requiring no antibiotics) but your symptoms suggest a bacterial infection. This has to be confirmed on examination and tests.
I presume you have no difficulty in breathing, wheeze or chest pain. And, assuming that you are an otherwise healthy, young adult, with a normal immune system and no chronic medical illnesses, you can wait until Monday.
You would need to see your doctor for a complete evaluation including examination and tests. Depending on the results, you may or may not require antibiotics.
As for now, please follow the following measures for symptomatic relief.
1. Please take the OTC Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500 mg, every four hours. This should take care of your fever and pain. If in case pain still persists, you can stop Acetaminophen and switch to OTC Ibuprofen (Advil / Motrin) 400 mg, every 6 hours, making sure you take it on a full stomach.
2. Also, please take an OTC decongestant like Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed / Sudogest) 120 mg, twice daily.
3. You will need to take steam inhalation 3-4 times daily. This will relieve the sinus congestion and in turn the head and facial pressure as well as the pain. 4. You also need to do warm saline gargling for a minimum of 2 mins each time, 3-4 times daily. Please carry out these steps until you see your doctor.
In case you have any difficulty breathing, wheeze, chest pain or worsening of symptoms, please walk in to an urgent care clinic or the ER.
I hope this was helpful. Feel free to ask queries.
Regards.