Question 1

My father has been diagnosed with a massive pleural effusion on both sides. I'm really worried and would love some guidance on how to go about draining the fluid. Could you please let me know what steps we should take?

Accepted Answer

consult a physician, you cannot do it at home

Question 2

I'm 35 and diabetic. I started feeling unwell on June 22 with a minor cough and then a low-grade fever. I took Claribid 500 and Musinac 600 for three days. My brother wasn't feeling well for 10 days, got tested for COVID, and his result was positive. Now, four members of my family are positive. By June 27, my oxygen levels dropped, and I was admitted to the hospital. My COVID tests came back negative twice, but since I was in the ICU, all the other patients were positive. After two days, I was moved to a normal ward and treated with IV Monocef O for five days. Now I'm on tablets, Monocef O and Azithral, plus vitamin C for seven days. I don't have any symptoms now. Should I stop the medicine? My CT report looked good, and the doctor advised isolating for 10 days. So can I touch my kids after those 10 days, or should I wait 14 days? Is it okay for me to start doing household chores now? I'm worried and really want to avoid going back to the hospital. Also, could I have been COVID positive but still tested negative?

Accepted Answer

no need to take any antibiotics and consume healthy food and stay isolated for a period of 7 days and you can be free after that

Question 3

I'm really worried and need some advice. For the past three months, I've been waking up every morning with brown phlegm, but the rest of the day it's clear. It's coming from my throat, and I dont have a cough. I don't smoke, and I live in a calm area with low pollution and a humid climate. It's really freaking me out, and I can't shake the feeling that something might be seriously wrong. Should I be worried? Are there any home remedies that might help?

Accepted Answer

Spitting brown phlegm in the morning can be alarming, but it's often treatable. Given your symptoms and environment, here are possible causes:

*Possible Causes*

1. *Postnasal drip*: Mucus from your nose can drip down the back of your throat, causing brown phlegm.
2. *Acid reflux*: Stomach acid can flow up into your throat, causing inflammation and brown phlegm.
3. *Allergies*: Seasonal or environmental allergies can trigger excess mucus production.
4. *Sinusitis*: Inflammation of the sinuses can cause thick, discolored mucus.

*Home Remedies*

1. *Stay hydrated*: Drink plenty of water to thin out mucus.
2. *Saline gargle*: Mix 14 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water and gargle several times a day.
3. *Honey and lemon*: Mix equal parts honey and lemon juice in warm water to soothe your throat.
4. *Elevate your head*: Sleep with your head slightly elevated to reduce postnasal drip.

*Medical Consultation*

If your symptoms persist or worsen, consult an *ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist* or a *primary care physician*. They may recommend:

1. *Nasal endoscopy*: To examine your nasal passages and sinuses.
2. *Throat swab*: To check for infections.
3. *Acid reflux testing*: To diagnose acid reflux.
4. *Allergy testing*: To identify potential allergens.

It sounds like you may have asthma or an allergic airway condition triggered by cold or night-time air. I recommend consulting a pulmonologist for a proper evaluation, including spirometry. Continuing appropriate long-term treatment, like inhalers, may help prevent recurrence.

More Pulmonology/ Respiratory Medicine Health Queries

My father has been diagnosed with a massive pleural effusion on both sides. I'm really worried and would love some guidance on how to go about draining the fluid. Could you please let me know what steps we should take?

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