u/ScarletSummerSage

63F Respiratory Illness-Tested negative for everything- Sinus Infection or what is this???

Hello,

I started getting sick on April 11 with a dry cough, clear phlegm, and fatigue.

Sunday – My symptoms progressed to excessive yellow phlegm, a red throat, watery eyes, achy arms, shoulders, and neck, a headache, and a non-itchy rash that I always get when I’m sick.

Monday – I developed thick brown and green phlegm. My throat felt like I had swallowed razor blades, and I had a very deep cough and aching across my upper back. I went to immediate care; they tested me for flu, COVID, strep, RSV, rhinovirus, adenovirus, hMPV, and hPIV, and all tests were negative.

Tuesday – I still had the same phlegm and symptoms. Conjunctivitis started in my left eye, with sticky yellow discharge. I noticed white pus spots on both tonsils. I saw my regular doctor and had chest X-rays and blood tests done. The X-rays were clear and the blood tests were normal, but the CBC with differential showed mildly elevated MCV, absolute neutrophils, and absolute monocytes. When I asked the doctor’s office about the results, they told me these were mildly elevated and not a concern. I also started losing my voice.

Wednesday – Same symptoms continued, with a headache, a mild low-grade fever around 100°F, and mild chills.

Thursday – Still the same symptoms.

Friday – Basically no change.

Currently – The conjunctivitis has spread to my other eye, so it’s now in both eyes. My doctor said it’s a virus and told me to come back in a few weeks if I’m not better. The doctor recommended Refresh Optive Advanced Lubricant Eye Drops and Delsym cough medicine, but I’m taking Mucinex DM instead. I also use fluticasone nasal spray year-round. I am a non-smoker and have no health issues.

I was told it’s a virus, but isn’t green and brown phlegm usually bacterial? I'm wondering if it's a sinus infection. I only get sick about twice a year. I’m at a loss about what to do next.

*Edit- Low-grade fever ended on Tuesday.