How to manage persistent cough and weakness in hypertensive patients?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am concerned about my 52-year-old uncle, who has been managing hypertension with Telmisartan for the past 8 years. Lately, he has been showing signs of weakness, and over the past 4 months, he has had persistent coughing, sometimes accompanied by blood in his sputum and night sweats. I am worried about his health and would like to understand the possible reasons behind these symptoms. What are the effective ways to diagnose this, and the recommended treatments to help my uncle recover and regain his strength?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I am very sorry about your medical condition. Do not worry, I am here to take care of you. Regarding your uncle's symptoms of bloody sputum cough and night sweats with a history of hypertension, I propose that he has developed pulmonary tuberculosis. Any travel history in the past to tuberculosis endemic areas?

Let him do a chest X-ray, sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) test for three consecutive days, Mantoux test, and please take the following medications:

Tablet Rifampicin 500 mg orally twice a day.
Tablet Isoniazid 300 mg orally once a day.
Tablet Metronidazole 400 mg orally three times a day.
Cap Co-Amoxiclav 625 mg orally twice a day.
Tab Ketoconazole 200 mg orally once a day.

If your symptoms persist, schedule another follow-up appointment via chat, phone, or video consultation.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.