Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Pneumonia with no cough???

I had a CT scan (every 6 mo. scan after colon cancer a number of years ago) and the radiologist told my doctor that I had a small area of mild or minor pneumonia in the upper lobe, right lung.   The CT was 10 days ago this morning.  I got the results 7 days later and was immediately put on antibiotic tho I have no crackle or bad sounds in my lung. Pulse ox was 98.  

Symptoms are headache, slight weakness, stuffy head and sinuses and ONCE in a while, one or two dry coughs.  Absolutely no mucus and cough just began late yesterday. Cough is FEW and far between. Chest feels like a minor chest cold.

I've never had pneumonia but my husband has it probably 4 times a year and he coughs and coughs up gunk for weeks.  Should I be concerned that I am not coughing more or coughing up mucus?  I still have 7 full days of antibiotic. Cednifir (allergic to many antibiotics)

Drinking LOADS of water and weak tea plus eating healthy, taking it easy but still wondering about any chest gunk!  If it's in there, shouldn't it be gotten out???  NO health concerns other than the previous colon cancer Jan. 2009 and liver met (resected) 2012, so 6 and 3 years ago.  Perfect BP, BS, all labs and age 64, tiny bit over weight. Take no meds except Klonopin for general health anxiety.  PTSD

Best Answer
1415174 tn?1453243103
COMMUNITY LEADER
Ok, I see. It sounds like Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It does cause walking pneumonia by your description. Yes the best thing for it is to get an expectorant like you have and make yourself cough. Also, steaming in the shower is good. It takes a month or more to get over the cough and being tired but those are the usual symptoms. It doesn't sound like regular pneumonia. That is usually caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and causes a very high fever and lots of mucus on the lungs and so forth. It makes it hard to breath. You usually don't get walking pneumonia unless you are run down from the flu or something else. But since others have it you might have contracted it from them. Try to say away from the flu if you can. None of us are immune even with the vaccine. It has mutated from the strain in the vaccine. So I'm not going to buffets and I'm using those hand sanitizers and wiping down doors knobs etc. It may sound extreme but I personally need to get my strength back since I was injured and don't want to be set back any more if possible. Hope you get over this soon.
take care!
mkh9
9 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I have had two CT scans in three weeks. Both showed pneumonia in left lung. My question I have had no cough, spitting up, or fever. I do have shortness of breath and hurts to breathe and cough. I get tired more easily than before. Can you please tell me how I can have pneumonia without the usual symptoms? I'm afraid that the CT scans were wrong and maybe it could be something worse. Sorry I guess I'm just scared.
Helpful - 0
1415174 tn?1453243103
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes it makes total sense now. Well, hope you get better soon.
take care,
mkh9
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yep, that's what all 3 doctors think I have (onc, rad and primary) and it fits.

I was just sure I had the flu the same time my husband and 4 close friends at church were all VERY sick with it.  My symptoms were not as severe and the nasal swab was done within hours of me waking feeling so ill.  It said 'nope'.  I didn't take Tamiflu since doc said no flu but it was just under 3 weeks when the scan showed the small / mild pneumonia.  

Thank you again for all your help!  My friend told me last night her grandson (1 year old) has it and has no fever and no REAL cough and she'd seen a local news article saying higher than normal cases of WP in our county this season.

Diane
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
BTW......... my normal temp in 97.7 to 97.9°.  My blood work was perfect. Doc does CBC w/diff and chems every visit.  I go 8 years without a cold.  DID have the flu two years ago when I skipped the flu shot.  My mother is 82 and her temp is same as mine.  When I was so sick with the flu, it was 99.9°.  

The inhaler seems to be making me cough but nothing like my husband!

Oh...... and there seems to be an outbreak of walking pneumonia in our area. My friend's grandson was the latest to be dx'd.  Several people at my church over the last 5 - 6 weeks.  Once I mentioned it on Facebook, people admitted they'd had it and didn't stay home. LOADS had the flu.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
From your first response..... Yes, I was having chills and kept complaining on Sunday that it was freezing in church, on Tuesday complained it was freezing in doctor's office, etc. My temp was 96.5, pulse 72, respiration 16, pulse ox 98 (doctor charts it on his website).  

I was surprised I wasn't coughing like my husband does when he gets pneumonia but he has asthma and COPD. I have no health concerns.  The scan showed 'mild pneumonia or resolving infection'. Onc and rad said possibly walking pneumonia.  

I went to my primary for treatment. I'm taking the med and have 5 1/2  more days worth plus have an inhaler. Only minor coughing and the stuff I cough up is not green, rusty, etc.  Headache is gone as of today.  
Helpful - 0
1415174 tn?1453243103
COMMUNITY LEADER
Have you tried the prescription yet that makes you cough? I would use it if you can to make sure you keep your lungs open.  I think you are wondering if you have a cold or is this pneumonia? The recent symptoms sound like a cold because of the stuffy head and sinuses . Those symptoms are not like pneumonia. I just want you to be careful about the possibility of relapsing or not being over the pneumonia. Since you were winded on Sunday and sound fatigued. So be careful and if you feel worse see the doctor. He has you on the right drug and your pulse ox was normal. But some strains of the bacteria (strep pneumoniae) that cause pneumonia have become resistant. This new drug he has/had you on hopefully is good. But again if you feel worse in the chest or breathing see the doctor or if you develop a high fever. Hope this helps. Feel free to write back if you need to.
mkh9
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had already gone and gotten a script when I posted that.  He gave me an antibiotic known to work on 2 types of pneumonia and today called in an inhaler to help open up the airways so I can cough it out.

I wasn't feeling 'great' and had felt sort of out of it for a week but I thought it was anxiety since I was having the chest CT.  I was complaining of how cold the offices were.

I never run a fever. When I had the true flu two years ago and was very ill, I had a temp of 101.

Still not coughing but a little.  I was already a little winded when we sang loads of long hymns at church on Sunday.

Since I've had cancer twice, I have regular visits and just before this had loads of blood work. The day I got sick, my pulse ox was 98 out of 100.  I go 8 years or more without a cold.  
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
It sounds like a cold virus, but you could have Mycoplasma or Chlamydia pneumonia? You can have some tightness with that and low grade or no fever. Usually, you have a dry cough and sometimes can have pain in the rib area and dry cough. It lasts about 1-2 months and usually follows a cold or flu. Sometimes it is resistant to some antibiotics. But it often goes away on its own. They call it "walking pneumonia." Did your CT come back yet? Its nothing to worry about if that is what you have. So, I hope all is well with you. Let me know how it goes.
mkh9
1415174 tn?1453243103
COMMUNITY LEADER
Well, usually you would have pain or tightness when you breath in and a fever and chills or sometimes low temperature if your immunity is low. Also, shortness of breath. Did you have any of these symptoms when they found that you had pneumonia on the CT?

Obviously if you have a fever see your doctor. Or see him if you feel that it could be pneumonia. Other things you could try if you don't have a fever and you think it is a virus, is to steam yourself in the shower and/or with a bowl of hot water and breath in the steam to make yourself cough and break up any tightness in the lungs. Buy a cough expectorant that makes you cough instead of a cough suppressant.

Yes you don't want to have the "gunk" stay in there if it feels tight. If you feel like it is tight I would see your doctor too. Sometimes the antibiotic they give you doesn't work. They really should do a culture on people to see which bacteria and what it is resistant to instead of handing out antibiotics. But never take a hot bath or shower when you have a fever. It will over heat you.
hope this helps.
mkh9
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Infectious Diseases Community

Top Infectious Diseases Answerers
1415174 tn?1453243103
CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Can HIV be transmitted through this sexual activity? Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia answers this commonly-asked question.
A breakthrough study discovers how to reduce risk of HIV transmission by 95 percent.
Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia provides insight to the most commonly asked question about the transfer of HIV between partners.
Before your drop a dime at the pharmacy, find out if these popular cold and flu home remedies are a wonder or a waste
Fend off colds and the flu with these disease-fighting foods