Hello doctor,My father is 61 years old known case of CKD with hypertension. He has been on dialysis for a couple of weeks, sum total of ten dialysis have been done out of which one dialysis was done using an online hemodiafiltration technique. His creatinine has subsequently reduced from 8.6 to 6.5, however, he had pneumonia patch in the right lung and took antibiotics and has recovered from that. But he has been coughing quite a lot with only secretions coming out and no sputum. There is some fluid in his lungs for which he has been advised to go for HDF and mild pericardial effusion. AFB for TB is negative. Can you please suggest what can be the cause of severe coughing, shortness of breath and the treatment for the same? If needed, I can send out the x-ray to you for evaluation.He is currently on Flavedon, Minipress XL, Metolar XR, Torsemide 40, Vitamins, and Calcium tablets. His lab report shows TLC is raised to 12 which was earlier 5. Please help.
Hi,  Welcome to ChatDoctor. There could be a few causes for the wet cough with phlegm. Despite taking antibiotics for pneumonia, the opacity in the lung takes a few weeks to completely disappear. The cough in such a case can last for a month. If the patient has no fever I will not worry. CHF (congestive heart failure) is also one of the causes in elderly patients in addition to environmental factors. I would advise you to continue supporting treatment for cough as advised by your doctor. If there is fever in such a case you must report back to the doctor to rule out any other cause. If the x-ray reviled plural effusion then probably other continuation like TB (tuberculosis), etc., should be considered.  You can send me the chest x-ray to comment better.  I hope this helps. 