What are the reasons for body aches, headaches, and a phlegm with blood in a 33-year-old male?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern and I will help you with your query.

I have seen the picture (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) of your sputum. Based on the history that you have provided; it looks like an upper respiratory tract infection. Sometimes small tinge of blood in the sputum is common with upper respiratory tract infection. Just take treatment for upper respiratory tract infection. It will resolve in the next four to five days and you will be alright. If symptoms persist then we shall evaluate further for lower respiratory tract infection or any other pathology. Another thing that I would like to know is whether you have any smoking or tobacco chewing history.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Glad to have you back.

Your previous history of testicular cancer which had been treated with chemotherapy is a significant history because treated testicular cancer can present with recurrence in the abdomen and metastasis to the lung. I do not mean to say that you are having all this but symptoms with the previous history of testicular cancer cannot be ignored. I suggest you do a Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) of chest and abdomen and check for some blood tumor markers like serum beta hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), serum AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), and serum LDH (lactate dehydrogenase).

I wish you good health.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Still, I suggest you do at least NCCT (non-contrast computed tomography) of the thorax along with the above-mentioned tumor markers.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

According to me, considering your age and smoking history along with your previous history, it looks like recurrence more than lung cancer. But still, my first probable diagnosis is just a common cold or upper respiratory tract infection. But considering your previous history, we have to rule out lung metastasis from testicular cancer.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Glad to have you back.

So basically, a general physician will think in one way and an oncologist will think differently. You meet your general physician and tell them that an oncologist had asked you to do an NCCT thorax and check a few tumor markers. Most probably, it could be just an upper respiratory tract infection, but with the background of testicular cancer, we have to rule out other things.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Do not be scared. Mostly it could be due to upper respiratory tract infection, but we have to rule out other things also.

Hope for the best.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I will get back to you shortly.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Glad to have you back.

I am really sorry for the late reply. Your physician is right, and I have also mentioned that most probably it would be nothing, but we have to rule out certain things as you have a history of testicular cancer. So, as of now, it looks like an upper respiratory tract infection, and you can cough out the sputum as it will not harm you.

If it does not resolve, then NCCT thorax should be taken because we cannot get a clear picture from a chest X-ray regarding any kind of lung metastasis or lung tumor. Bronchoscopy (video camera through trachea) is also required if blood with sputum persists.

I wish you good health. Let me know if you want to know anything else.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If sputum comes, then you have to cough it out.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Nothing will happen if you swallow it but it should come out from your respiratory tract otherwise it can cause lung infection.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Whether it gets absorbed or not does not make a major difference. Only thing is that if it is sputum positive TB (tuberculosis), then it can cause intestinal tuberculosis also. Rest all is fine.

I wish you good health.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If the cough subsides, then it is fine, otherwise follow the above instructions.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Good to hear that. Then, you need not do anything.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, you are fine.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Glad to have you back.

If it is persistent, then please get evaluated by doing the above-mentioned investigation. If it subsides in the next two to three days, then it is fine.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Good to hear that. Now, you need not do anything, and you can be relaxed.

I wish you good health.

Thank you.