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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough And Yellow Mucus
Question: I have a cough which produces yellow/brown mucus for 2 days
Brief Answer:
Questions for you to help me answer you better.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXX,
Can you please let me know the following, and then I can answer you more specifically:
1. Is the discoloration of sputum all day or just when you get up after lying down/sleeping.
2. Any fevers or chills?
3. Cough keeping you up at night?
4. Do you smoke cigarettes?
5. What other symptoms are you having - such as nasal/sinus symptoms, drainage down throat, etc
6. Do you have any chronic (ongoing) illnesses that make you more at risk for developing pneumonia? Any daily medications?
Questions for you to help me answer you better.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXX,
Can you please let me know the following, and then I can answer you more specifically:
1. Is the discoloration of sputum all day or just when you get up after lying down/sleeping.
2. Any fevers or chills?
3. Cough keeping you up at night?
4. Do you smoke cigarettes?
5. What other symptoms are you having - such as nasal/sinus symptoms, drainage down throat, etc
6. Do you have any chronic (ongoing) illnesses that make you more at risk for developing pneumonia? Any daily medications?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The mucus is present throughout the day. I am not a smoker. There is slight chills and fever. I have a mild sore throat that is getting better as the days go along. The cough is somewhat keeping me up at night. I do not have any chronic illnesses. Although, I received my pneumonia shot a week ago and we travel to Bermuda and back in the last week
Brief Answer:
Information on how to proceed.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional information.
As you are not a smoker and have no underlying chronic illnesses, you may recover from this without an antibiotic in the next few days.
The mild sore throat may be due to drainage down your throat which may also be the source of the sputum you are coughing up.
But if your cough or fever get worse, or is not improving in the next day, then please do go in to your doctor or urgent care clinic for a chest X-ray and possibly an antibiotic.
As you can see, I tend to be rather conservative about the use of antibiotics. It would not be unreasonable for you to go in today rather than waiting.
One more thing - I asked if the cough is keeping you up at night to get a feel for how severe this is and also if the cough is very persistent, then you might benefit from a strong cough medicine that has codeine in it (not available over the counter).
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information on how to proceed.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional information.
As you are not a smoker and have no underlying chronic illnesses, you may recover from this without an antibiotic in the next few days.
The mild sore throat may be due to drainage down your throat which may also be the source of the sputum you are coughing up.
But if your cough or fever get worse, or is not improving in the next day, then please do go in to your doctor or urgent care clinic for a chest X-ray and possibly an antibiotic.
As you can see, I tend to be rather conservative about the use of antibiotics. It would not be unreasonable for you to go in today rather than waiting.
One more thing - I asked if the cough is keeping you up at night to get a feel for how severe this is and also if the cough is very persistent, then you might benefit from a strong cough medicine that has codeine in it (not available over the counter).
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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