Recently Answered Questions
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Is there always 1 to 2 percent chance of TB recurrence even after completion of medicine?
Query: Hello doctor,I had pulmonary TB and underwent six months of continuous medication as suggested by the doctor. There was blood in the sputum a few times and the sputum test showed negative but based on the CT scan (computerized tomography) doctor suspected pulmonary TB (Tuberculosis). I was recommend... Read Full »
Dr. Amol Kumar Wasudeorao Diwan
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through both the CT scans and reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It is good that you have completed six months of TB treatment in spite of the sputum test being negative. Even though the sputum test for AFB was negative, the symptom... Read Full »
Is low platelet count a symptom of dengue?
Query: Hi doctor, My father has nagging dry cough for about one month. Our physician has doubted it as allergic bronchitis and the x-ray also justifies the same. As per today, his platelet count is 125000. Is there anything to worry? Or is this a sign of dengue? Myself and my brother have just recovered f... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. For dengue, the first and the foremost thing to be present is fever. Dengue is not diagnosed only on the basis of platelet count. Also, mild thrombocytopenia (low platelet) is common in older adults. All you have to check is the trend of platelet count whether it is de... Read Full »
Can blood in sputum be caused by excess clearing of throat?
Query: Hi doctor, I had pneumonia two years ago and I have recovered from it after taking antibiotics for 10 days. Two months back, I had bronchitis and a milder form of pneumonia. After a week of antibiotics I felt much better. Now, my main concern is that I have excessive phlegm with some traces of bl... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Bronchitis itself can cause blood in sputum (hemoptysis). This happens due to rupture of minute blood vessels due to excessive coughing. In such case, it is very important to rule out any pneumonia, tuberculosis and lung malignancy. The supplements you have men... Read Full »
In chest x-ray, what is the meaning of bilateral apical inhomogeneities?
Query: Hi doctor, I have applied for a job in abroad. I was asked to get a complete medical checkup. In the chest x-ray report, it was mentioned as bilateral apical inhomogeneities. What does it mean? Read Full »
Dr. Amol Kumar Wasudeorao Diwan
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. A chest x-ray is a routine part of any pre-employment checkup. Your query regarding reporting of x-ray as bilateral inhomogeneous opacities suggests old or active infection most probably tuberculosis. So, it is advisable to do sputum AFB test (acid-fast bacilli) to r... Read Full »
I have been taking TB medicines for three months and now have breathing problems and cough. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, I have tuberculosis and have been taking medicines for three and half months. Now, I have a breathing problem and cough. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The breathlessness and cough are due to a broncho constriction that is associated with TB (tuberculosis). You can take the following tests: CBC (complete blood count). HRCT (high-resolution computed tomography) thorax. Sputum for AFB (acid-fast bacillus) repeat. I sugg... Read Full »
Kindly suggest tests to be done for a cough, apart from a chest x-ray.
Query: Hi doctor, I have attached an x-ray report of my one-year-old baby girl. The report says ill-defined haziness is seen in the right perihilar and para-cardiac regions - pneumonitis. What does this mean? She has cough for the last five days. My mom is suffering from active tuberculosis. So, an x-ray ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. See as you said, your mother is suffering from active TB (tuberculosis), TB in the child should also be ruled out first. It may be just pneumonia, but TB should be ruled out with some more investigations mentioned below. 1.Mantoux tes... Read Full »
My wife's blood report shows abnormal monocytes and ESR. Is this cause for concern?
Query: Hello doctor, Me and my wife got an annual blood test done. Few of my wife's results are off the radar. She is 30 years old, and she had a mild cough when the tests were done. She becomes tired very easily. In the attached hemogram report, her monocytes are 0 and ESR is 80. Rest of the tests inc... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern, but after a detailed evaluation of your wife's reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity), I would say there is nothing to worry. Only monocytes levels are low, it does not mean much. It does not cause anything serious if ... Read Full »
I suffer from a stuffy nose and fever. What is wrong with me?
Query: Hello doctor,I have been sick for over a month. It started with a sore throat, chest tightness and followed by bronchitis. Now I have stuffy nose and fever. I have taken bronchitis medications (Methylprednisolone, Amoxicillin and BREO inhaler). I have used a nebulizer with Albuterol. I am taking vit... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query and can understand your health concern. You might be having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with superadded lower respiratory tract infection. In my opinion, you can taper and stop Methylprednisolone as it is a steroid and it further r... Read Full »
My X-ray shows nodules in my right lung. Does it indicate cancer?
Query: Hi doctor, I have a persistent cough with phlegm, chest pain, exhaustion after a short duration and nodules in the right lung. The x-ray revealed that signs of atelectasis are present. After using three different types of medicine and steroid inhaler, the symptoms are still present. The most recent... Read Full »
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You have not mentioned the CT scan report that you had done. The x-rays are showing nodules; hence, it might be pneumonic consolidations that should be considered first rather than directly thinking about malignancy. Sputum cytology and examination study should be done i... Read Full »
Can I drink water while fasting for a thyroid profile test?
Query: Hello doctor, Since the last 10 months, my periods are very irregular. I get periods only once every three to four months. I am on treatment for abdominal TB since the last one and a half years. I take Sompraz D20 on an empty stomach in the morning. I take Duonase nasal spray (two puffs in each nos... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your irregular periods can be due to your obesity. You need to lose some weight. You have a history of TB (tuberculosis). So, there may be chances that your uterus might have got affected due to that. I suggest the following tests: USG (ultrasonography) of th... Read Full »