Hi Pennylane, I am sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I know that it is a hard thing to deal with. I would definitly tell your physician about your underarm
pain and other complaints. It may have nothing at all to do with what you are dealing with but sometimes you can get swollen
lymph nodes in your arm pit area from infections.
You mentioned you had a viral infection and now since you are on a
antibiotic I am assuming it is bacterial.
Bacterial infections may develop after a viral illness, such as a cold or influenza, and are less common than viral illnesses. Bacterial infections may affect the upper or lower respiratory system. Symptoms tend to localize to one area. In the upper respiratory system, the most common sites of bacterial infections are the ears, sinuses, and throat. In the lower respiratory system, the most common sites are the bronchial tubes (bronchitis) and the lungs (
pneumonia).
Bacterial infections are more common in smokers, people exposed to secondhand smoke, and people with chronic lung disease (such as
asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (
COPD) and other chronic medical problems.
Antibiotics can effectively treat most bacterial infections.
There are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of catching a cold or influenza. They include the following:
Wash Your Hands Often
Hand washing is the most neglected, yet most effective, method of disease containment. The primary means of spreading both colds and influenza is person-to-person contact. Effective ways to prevent respiratory infections include: 1) washing your hands thoroughly and often, and 2) avoiding hand-to-hand passage of germs and droplet sprays from sneezing and
coughing.
Avoid Crowds During Influenza Season
This may not be a very practical suggestion for everyone. However, if you are at high risk of catching a cold or influenza, or at risk for developing complications from these infections, try to avoid crowded areas or people who are obviously sick during the winter influenza season.
Get a "Flu Shot"
Each year, the World Health Organization tries to determine which strains of the influenza virus will be most dangerous in the upcoming influenza season. Vaccines are developed for these strains.
Anyone may benefit from a flu shot, but vaccination is strongly recommended every fall for several groups of people people who are at the highest risk for complications. These include:
People over age 50
Infants aged 6-23 months
Residents of chronic care facilities and nursing homes
Those with chronic illnesses, especially of the heart, lungs, blood, and kidneys
People with a weakened immune system
Women more than three months pregnant during flu season
Health care workers who come in contact with sick patients
Caregivers or household members of persons in high risk groups
Flu shots are available at doctors' offices, hospitals, local public health offices, and at some workplaces, stores or shopping malls. A possible side effect is a mild "flu-like" reaction including
fever, aching, and fatigue. Up to 5% of people experience these symptoms after having the influenza vaccine.
Please strongly consider stoping smoking which can exacerbate any respiratory problem. Take care of yourself, vitamins espically zinc and vit c are important. Follow up with your physician about your other complaints.
I hope this helps you and I wish you well.
