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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough

Posted on Mon, 5 Oct 2015

Question: What is next? Coughing so bad I feel like ribs will fracture. X-Ray negative.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
LRTI likely

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

Based on your symptoms, its most likely LRTI ( Lower respiratory tract infection). In recurrent cases , one antibiotic alone rarely does the job especially in community acquired pneumonia. Amoxicillin clavulanate in combination with a quinolone or macrolide works much better than alone. Ipratropium bronchodilators and steroids can also be administered if the cough is severe and there is shortness of breath or wheezing on chest auscultation. An EKG should be done if there is any degree of chest pain or shortness of breath, to rule out any cardiac cause. Cough medication like hydrelline or acefyl and steam inhalation may also be used for symptomatic relief. Since you have started cefuroxime, you should not stop it in between. Continue it and discuss the possibility of adding a macrolide antibiotic to cefuroxime, with your treating physician.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

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Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (23 minutes later)

Thank you. I have asked the docs office to prescribe a cough suppressant, but they just advised over the counter. I am most worried because my flight on 09/07/15 I sat next to a foreign young man coming to Florida (my home stat), and he was coughing, hacking, sniffling, all without trying to cover his face. In Florida we get folks from around the world and many travel without regard to others. I am a diabetic, and am around high school students often and certainly don't want to pass this along. Is there a good over the counter cough suppressant?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Yes, as mentioned above community acquired pneumonias are common and transmissible. You should exercise adequate and possible isolation till you get better.

OTC options

1) XXXXXXX seltzer pus day Sinus congestion and allergy
2) Delsym cough
3) Diabetic Tussin Nighttime
4) Mucinex Fast XXXXXXX

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (3 minutes later)

Thanks again. I will send my husband to the store!! Have a nice day.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Most welcome

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome, madam.

Have a great day and wishing you best of health.

Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar