Struggling with Persistent Illness
Age: 37 Height: 5’2 Weight: 186 Gender: Female Medical Background: Allergic asthma, chronic pain, unilateral vestibular hypo-function, binocular vision dysfunction (all resulting from a motor vehicle accident four years ago), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Greetings, Medical Professionals! My family of four and I have been experiencing intermittent illness since New Year's Eve. We’ve tested positive for Influenza A, and that's the only diagnosis we currently have, here in Southern California. Given my medical history, I tend to feel the effects the hardest, while my children, who also suffer from asthma and allergies, are similarly affected. My husband is generally healthy and appears to be in better shape, but he does manage Type 2 Diabetes. My children and I have been really unwell; we've dealt with high fevers, persistent coughs, severe colds, and sinus infections (we usually end up on antibiotics after a week of no improvement). I’ve had chest X-rays done, and thankfully, the results came back clear. We have consistently tested negative for both COVID-19 and strep throat. What are we missing? Why do we keep facing these health challenges? I trust my healthcare provider completely, yet my mother has started to influence my feelings, suggesting that the doctors aren’t thoroughly investigating our symptoms. While it’s true that my kids and I have been ill frequently, I assumed it was due to our existing conditions of asthma and allergies. My mom mentioned knowing someone who experienced frequent sickness and later was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. I stay on top of my mammograms, gynecological check-ups, and my lab results are largely normal, aside from the fatty liver issue, which I am actively addressing. We’re not engaging in risky behaviors, so why are we being hit so hard? At what point should we be really worried about our health situation?
Answers (1)
2/14/2026, 10:30:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you and your family are navigating a challenging time with persistent illness following your diagnosis of Influenza A, particularly given the additional hurdles posed by asthma and other chronic conditions. It's understandable to feel concerned, especially with the frequency of illness in your family. Let's break this down and look at practical steps you can take.
Main Points:
- Persistent Symptoms: The continued illness might stem from your pre-existing conditions, which can complicate recovery from viral infections like influenza.
- Influenza Management: Focus on supportive care and monitoring, especially for you and your children with asthma.
- Next Steps: Prioritize symptom management, hydration, and possibly reassess your current treatment strategies with your healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Explanation:
Given your medical history, conditions like asthma can lead to a higher susceptibility to respiratory infections and prolonged recovery. Influenza can exacerbate your asthma symptoms, leading to additional health challenges such as persistent coughs and sinus infections. It’s important to recognize that viral infections may take longer to resolve, particularly in individuals with underlying health issues.
Frequent illnesses can sometimes be exacerbated by allergies, environmental factors, or even the stress of managing chronic conditions. You’re already proactive about your health by keeping up with regular screenings, which is great.
Specific Next Steps:
-
Enhance Supportive Care:
- Stay Hydrated: Ensure you and your children drink plenty of fluids to help with recovery, especially if you're experiencing fevers.
- Rest and Nutrition: Prioritize rest and maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins to support your immune system.
-
Manage Respiratory Symptoms:
- Asthma Action Plan: If you don’t have an updated asthma action plan, work with your healthcare provider to create or revise one, focusing on how to manage asthma during illness.
- Inhalers and Medications: Make sure your inhalers are being used effectively. Consider discussing with your provider if you might need any adjustments to your medications.
-
Tracking Symptoms:
- Symptom Diary: Keep a detailed record of symptoms, including cough, fever, and any changes. This can help your healthcare provider better understand your situation if further evaluation is needed.
- Monitor for Red Flags: If symptoms worsen significantly or include difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, or persistent high fevers, elevate the urgency of seeking healthcare attention.
-
Environment & Allergens:
- Reduce Irritants: Ensure your living environment is free from known allergens and irritants, as they can worsen respiratory symptoms.
-
Open Communication:
- Discuss Concerns with Your Provider: If you feel unsatisfied or have lingering concerns about the thoroughness of your care, consider bringing these up with your healthcare provider. You have every right to seek clarity and ensure your family is receiving comprehensive attention and evaluation.
It’s understandable to feel anxious about frequent illnesses, particularly with family health histories and personal experiences. Your proactive approach is beneficial, and staying informed while seeking supportive care is key to navigating this situation. Remember that you are taking significant steps by monitoring your health diligently.
Related Questions
Concerns Regarding Brain Aneurysms and Stroke Risks
I'm a 22-year-old male, and I tend not to consume alcohol regularly. I’ve been vaping for approximately a year but am currently trying to quit. On top of that, I carry some extra weight. At the moment, my doctor has prescribed propranolol to help manage my anxiety. I struggle with intense health-related anxiety, particularly concerning the possibility of a brain bleed. I am acutely aware that nicotine use significantly increases this risk, which troubles me greatly, especially given the persistent discomfort I experience in my jaw, neck, temples, and just beneath my eye. My doctor has attributed these issues to either TMJ or my wisdom teeth, yet they still trigger my anxiety. What occupies my mind the most is the fear that narrowing and weakening blood vessels might result in an aneurysm or cause a stroke. As I mentioned earlier, I am in the process of quitting vaping, though I can’t help but wonder if the damage has already been done. What are the odds that I might already have a ruptured aneurysm? Is it possible for my blood vessels to fully recover, or could there be lasting harm? I apologize for the lengthy message; these thoughts are incessantly keeping me awake at night. I'm incredibly anxious about facing an early demise due to my poor choices in seeking relief from stress while in university.
White Patches in the Mouth Around My Lips
What could be causing these white patches both inside my mouth and around my lips? I'm seeking advice on how to treat this issue effectively. Profile: - Gender: Female - Age: 45 - Smoking Status: Non-smoker - Current Medications: None - Medical Diagnoses: None
Persistent Rapid Heartbeat and Anxiety
I’m a 28-year-old female, weighing 110 pounds and standing at 5 feet 1 inch, and I follow a vegetarian diet. Recently, I have been grappling with severe panic attacks right after I wake up. These episodes have caused excessive sweating and nausea, often leading me to vomit, and then I typically drift back to sleep. When I eventually wake up again, even if it's only after a short nap of about 20 minutes, I generally feel significantly improved. Initially, I suspected that my frequent use of marijuana was the underlying cause of these disturbances. As a result, I ceased all marijuana usage a few weeks ago, only indulging in an edible during the Super Bowl. Since I stopped using it, the panic attacks have subsided. Though I still experience acute anxiety attacks, they do not include a rapid heartbeat; rather, the symptoms are characterized by overwhelming anxiety, nausea, profuse sweating, and episodes of shivering. Last Thursday night around 10 PM, I began to feel anxious, and by midnight, as I was preparing for bed, my heart began racing uncontrollably. It took nearly two hours for my heart to stop pounding so forcefully that it felt as though it might leap from my chest, allowing me to finally get some sleep. This morning, I awoke around 8 AM with a surge of anxiety and a racing heart. Although the anxiety subsided within two hours, my heart rate showed no signs of returning to normal. Typically, my resting rate is around 65 beats per minute, but today it has fluctuated between 80 and 105 beats per minute. It is now approaching 3 PM, and despite continuing with my daily activities, I am increasingly anxious about my heart rate's inability to stabilize. Is there anything I can do to help regulate it? At what point should I seek medical advice?
Seeking Relief for Ongoing Health Issues
At 26 years old, I find myself struggling with persistent health problems. My current symptoms include a painful throat and a dry mouth, which have worsened to the extent that I once found it difficult to breathe. In a panic, I sought help at the emergency room, but instead of receiving assistance, I was turned away. Despite my insistence that I was barely able to breathe, the hospital staff asked me to leave. Feeling desperate, I chose to stay, only to end up spending the night in uncomfortable surroundings without access to my preferred remedies, honey and hot sauce, both of which provide me some relief. In addition to this distressing experience, I had attended a clinic hoping for some resolution, but they promised to follow up and never did. For over a decade, I’ve dealt with a dry throat and mouth, along with sharp, chronic pain in my right inner ear. If neither the clinic nor the hospital is able to provide help, is there any hope for relief from this continuous suffering? What steps can I take next?
Chronic Elevated CRP Levels with Normal ESR: Investigating Possible Pericarditis
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out to see if anyone has gone through similar health concerns or can shed some light on my situation. To provide some background, I am a 25-year-old woman who has been under the care of a rheumatologist for several years. My medical history includes a positive ANA test and ongoing elevated CRP levels, yet all additional autoimmune tests have returned negative results. Notably, my ESR has consistently remained within the normal range, and I generally do not exhibit any symptoms, which has left me without a definitive diagnosis. Recently, I began experiencing episodes of chest discomfort, each lasting approximately five days to a week. The sensation is heavy, and I feel acute pain when I take deep breaths or lie down. Thus far this year, I have encountered about four such episodes. As a result, my doctor referred me to a cardiologist, who is considering pericarditis as a potential diagnosis. I was prescribed colchicine at a dosage of 0.6 mg twice daily for several months, in addition to ibuprofen as required, and advised to refrain from any physical exercise during this period. Consequently, I have halted all strength training and cardiovascular activities and have focused on rest instead. I recently underwent another round of blood tests; however, the results were disappointing as my CRP levels did not show any improvement. I was hopeful for a reduction in CRP and am left questioning whether pericarditis is indeed the correct assessment. **Latest Lab Results (February 2026):** * CRP: **3.9 mg/dL** (normal range: 0–1) - elevated * ESR: **16 mm/hr** (normal range: 0–20) - within normal limits **Previous CRP Levels (mg/dL):** * November 2025: 3.0 (elevated) * June 2025: 3.3 (elevated) * February 2025: 3.0 (elevated) **Previous ESR Levels:** * November 2025: 12 (normal) * June 2025: 22 (slightly elevated) * February 2025: 22 (slightly elevated) * October 2024: 16 (normal) For the past five to six years, my CRP has consistently stayed in this elevated range, with the lowest recorded value being 2 mg/dL. Has anyone else gone through something similar or have insights to offer? Thank you so much!