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Severe Throat Pain, Wet Cough With Phlegm And Body Pains

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Posted on Wed, 6 Feb 2019
Question: Severe throat pain, wet cough with phlegm and body pains for last one day. Just taken brufen yesterday and some home remedies. Couldn't sleep in the night with persistent cough. Can you suggest some medicine? Thanks.
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Answered by Dr. Aaron Branch (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
See below

Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. Your symptoms are consistent with a viral upper respiratory infection, which unfortunately antibiotics cannot help with. The treatment is just based on symptoms until your body clears the infection by itself. For your cough, I would suggest using an antihistamine/decongestant such as loratidine and pseudoephedrine like Claritin D or something similar, along with a medication with dextromethorphan in it (I'm not sure what medications you have available to you, but a pharmacist should be able to help you find a medication with these ingredients in it).

You can also try using honey, a teaspoon mixed in with hot tea or juice can also help as well.

For the sore throat you can try frozen (such as ice) or heated liquids (such as tea or soup). There are lozenges that can be used for sore throat as well. In severe cases, a dose of steroids can sometimes be used, but you should see a doctor before trying this.

I hope that gives you some options that should help with your cough and other symptoms. Please let me know if you have any other questions about that and I would be glad to discuss it further with you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Follow up: Dr. Aaron Branch (17 minutes later)
Many thanks. The phlegm is in light green in color. Is that dangerous?
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Answered by Dr. Aaron Branch (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
No, the color of the phlegm is not concerning. And if you had a fever in the first few days of illness that would not be concerning either. But if the fever persists after a week, you become very short of breath, or you seem to get better and then get worse again, it may indicate a bacterial infection for which you should be treated with antibiotics. A viral upper respiratory infection usually lasts 3-10 days, and rarely up to two weeks.

One other option I forgot to mention is intranasal or inhaled cromolyn sodium, which can help with nasal congestion, cough, and throat pain.

I hope you feel better soon, please let me know if you have any other questions and I would be glad to answer them.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Aaron Branch

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 1223 Questions

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Severe Throat Pain, Wet Cough With Phlegm And Body Pains

Brief Answer: See below Detailed Answer: Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. Your symptoms are consistent with a viral upper respiratory infection, which unfortunately antibiotics cannot help with. The treatment is just based on symptoms until your body clears the infection by itself. For your cough, I would suggest using an antihistamine/decongestant such as loratidine and pseudoephedrine like Claritin D or something similar, along with a medication with dextromethorphan in it (I'm not sure what medications you have available to you, but a pharmacist should be able to help you find a medication with these ingredients in it). You can also try using honey, a teaspoon mixed in with hot tea or juice can also help as well. For the sore throat you can try frozen (such as ice) or heated liquids (such as tea or soup). There are lozenges that can be used for sore throat as well. In severe cases, a dose of steroids can sometimes be used, but you should see a doctor before trying this. I hope that gives you some options that should help with your cough and other symptoms. Please let me know if you have any other questions about that and I would be glad to discuss it further with you.