Posted: 2/15/2005 9:29:37 AM EDT
| I have some upper respiratory illness going on. I have been sick for 4 days now, 3 of those days with fevers up to 101.5. My son has been being treated for croup. This may be a silly question, but can adults get croup? Are there any over-the-counter meds that can help clear it up? He had to have steroids to get rid of his. No over the counter stuff is helping. Any advice? |
You could actually have pneumonia. I know from experience. Call your doctor. It may be nothing, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious. |
My son was running temps up to 101 and they diagnosed him with viral croup. I hope it is something that will go away soon without having to go see the doc in the box. Everytime we walk into a doctors office we end up bringing a different germ home. 
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Yes adults get the same virus as croup===bronchitis--inhalers and cough syrup-that's about it. FWIW, I suspect what you really have is influenza. If it came on VERY quickly that is likely. There are antiviral meds for influenza but you MUST take them early. Too late for you if so. Cough syrup with codeine is about all that helps. Certainly cannot rule out pneumonia over the internet either. Oh that's riiight. You're the one who called me an asshole. Well forget all that then.  
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Yeah, if its not gone by tomorrow I will go to the walk-in clinic. Cases of the flu are on the rise here so it may be that. Who knows! |
Okay asshole! Thanks for the advice. Too bad cough syrup with codeine isn't available over-the-counter. I am trying to avoid going to the doctor. BTW how dangerous is it to see stars when you cough? |
That's DR. Asshole to YOU!! 
Actually there is low dose codeine cough syrup available OTC now. Call your pharmacist. Or better yet call your doc, tell him you have the flu, haven't slept in 4 days and need relief. Maybe he'll help you if you don't call him an asshole. 
Probably means you are getting ready to rupture an aneurysm. Just kidding  Influenza sucks. |
Okay you have earned the right to the title of Dr. Asshole with all of the schooling you have had. I do not have a doctor nor insurance so I guess I will be going to see the "Doc in the box" when my husband gets home. I need some kind of relief! 
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Gee thanks for the reassurement. I can't wait! Actually it feels like my brains are going to bust out of the top of my head. It could be a possibility. |
Actually, that could happen. Not likely but not impossible for sure. Cough syrup!!! I always have to tell people with influenza that they can try OTC agents but in all reality they just don't do shit for influenza. |
The "seeing stars" part could be parts of your eye tugging at the retina. That's what was happening to me a while ago. I'd sneeze, and it would look like someone blew off a firework in front of my face for about three seconds. |
You bet your ass. And they taught me how to kill more people than guns....  Actually, between my Marine Corps training, medical knowledge, understanding of toxins, knowledge of explosives, and shooting abilities I'd be a pretty damn good hitman.
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Well, it never hurts to have alternate means of employment, even when you're a Doc. |
Redbeard, you are a gas, Bud! For those of you who aren't aware, Redbeard is the Dean of Evil Medical School.
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Yoruba mweli, mbongo kwame kwame Bwana Doc Red Beard!  
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Exactly right! This study was published several years ago in a well-respected peer reviewed journal, but the results were covered up by those in the medical community who want to keep the public duped and dependent upon the industrial-pharmaceutical complex. |
If you want to stick hot peppers up your ass, be my guest, but don't come running to us crying when you discover the Colonic Clinic set your sphincter on fire..... 
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Tobasco sauce Enema!!!??!! Sounds like the cure may be worse than the disease. Did you go to med school in Haiti by any chance RedBeard? Since no one has called me an asshole, I'll pitch in. Likely you have infuenza or some other viral URI. Trouble is a viral URI can be complicated by a secondary bacterial pneumonia (which was the real killer in the 1918 infuenza epidemic). What color is your sputum (ya know...your LOOGIES)? If it's not starting to resolve, you really need to get some antibiotics onboard. A Z-PAC will help if it's nocosomial pneumonia. Navy "I went to medschool in the US" Doc |
certainly would make you forget your troubles! |
How many streets can there BE in North Dakota, hard or not! I'd love to see a referance on the Tobasco thing, but I'd be hesitant to try something based on the personal experience of a dude that looks like "Chunk" (or was it "crunch") from the Gooonies! |
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I asked my wife the doc about it, and she says to see a doctor, not ask on the Internet about it, since you as a patient have no real relationship legally with somebody on the Internet, but that any doc who does dispense medical advice on the Internet is a fool looking for a nuisance lawsuit. You as a patient will save yourself a lot of grief and $$ in the long run by going to a doctor NOW and not waiting until you get really sick, when things might not work for you, but will be even more expensive. Hey- don't shoot me- That's what she said. Having been through a very expensive nuisance malpractice lawsuit as she has (it was laughed out of court, but still expensive) would make anybody gunshy. 
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"Nocosomial" (or is it nosocomial?) pneumonia is a different entity altogether. I think you meant community-acquired, right? |
Shit, Doc you were married to my GF, werent you! When ever she talks about her ex, she speaks of some asshole. I knew there was a connection! |
That's what I thought but I didn't want to say anything more, that bad woman might sue me. 
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Maybe...! God only knows, I went through alot of 'em. She doesn't have any kids, does she?
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I feel phlegm rattling around in there and can hear it when I breathe in, but I cant get any "Loogies" up. I am still no better today. I stopped by the ER last night after work but decided to leave after all the little sick babies started coming in. I didn't want to make it take longer for them so I left. I am going to the walk in clinic today, as after my coughing "fits" my lips are starting to tingle and I am still seeing little flashy stars.
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Well I know to take any medical advice as just advice and not set in stone. I know that no one can diagnose without doing an exam and on the internet it is based on an educated guess. Besides I am not a sue happy person, I would rather work for my money! Doctors employ me so it is not a good idea to sue them!
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