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Suggest Treatment For Sore Throat, Cough And Mild Fever
Question: Hi ,
I am 38 years old woman. I am having sore throat, cough and mild fever (100.3) since last 6 days . Doc had advised that it was a viral infection and will subside on its own . But if the symptoms doesn't improve , I should start with antibiotics . I took 1 dose of rulide this morning and just after 2 hrs started having loose motions . I am still feeling sick , same temperature and sore throat and severe cough and I am spitting out green stuff with the cough sometimes . I am not sure what to do now . Should I try another antibiotic like amoxicillin in the evening ? And what if that gives me diaoherea as well .I have to travel overseas on Tuesday. Please advise and help .
Thanks ,
XXXX
I am 38 years old woman. I am having sore throat, cough and mild fever (100.3) since last 6 days . Doc had advised that it was a viral infection and will subside on its own . But if the symptoms doesn't improve , I should start with antibiotics . I took 1 dose of rulide this morning and just after 2 hrs started having loose motions . I am still feeling sick , same temperature and sore throat and severe cough and I am spitting out green stuff with the cough sometimes . I am not sure what to do now . Should I try another antibiotic like amoxicillin in the evening ? And what if that gives me diaoherea as well .I have to travel overseas on Tuesday. Please advise and help .
Thanks ,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
You would get better.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome and thanks for your query.
Diarrhoea with antibiotics is not uncommon and it can occur with any antibiotic. Changing over to Amoxicillin may not help as you had diarrhoea last time. It is too early to decide whether Rulide is helpful for you or not as it may take a couple of days to show its effect.
If you have fever, take a couple of paracetamol tablets. You can gargle your throat with Betadine gargles or salt water. You can use lozenges like Strepsil. Take a tablet of Lomotil or Imodium for the diarrhoea and you ought to feel better.
Don't worry, you should be better before you are due to travel.
Keep in touch and do get back to me if you have any further queries.
Best wishes for a fast recovery.
You would get better.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome and thanks for your query.
Diarrhoea with antibiotics is not uncommon and it can occur with any antibiotic. Changing over to Amoxicillin may not help as you had diarrhoea last time. It is too early to decide whether Rulide is helpful for you or not as it may take a couple of days to show its effect.
If you have fever, take a couple of paracetamol tablets. You can gargle your throat with Betadine gargles or salt water. You can use lozenges like Strepsil. Take a tablet of Lomotil or Imodium for the diarrhoea and you ought to feel better.
Don't worry, you should be better before you are due to travel.
Keep in touch and do get back to me if you have any further queries.
Best wishes for a fast recovery.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Noble ,
Thank you so much for your reply. I am feeling very dizzy and weak and that's why I am scared to take Rulide . I am not sure if the dizziness is due to the Rulide. Also , panadol is not helping . The tablet which you have mentioned for the loose motion , is this available over the counter and should I continue Rulide / amoxicillin even with the loose motion ? Do I need to take the tablet for loose motions once a day before taking the antibiotics ?
Please advise if I should continue with Rulide or not.
Thanks again.
XXXX
Thank you so much for your reply. I am feeling very dizzy and weak and that's why I am scared to take Rulide . I am not sure if the dizziness is due to the Rulide. Also , panadol is not helping . The tablet which you have mentioned for the loose motion , is this available over the counter and should I continue Rulide / amoxicillin even with the loose motion ? Do I need to take the tablet for loose motions once a day before taking the antibiotics ?
Please advise if I should continue with Rulide or not.
Thanks again.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
discussion follows
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back, XXXXXXX
If you have not had Rulide before and feel that you cannot tolerate it, it may be discontinued. Take lot of fluids and ORS as dehydration may be a factor and should be avoided. If it is a viral infection, you do not require an antibiotic. I can help you decide if you can get a total WBC count and differential done and let me know the result.
The tablets I mentioned are to give symptomatic relief by stopping the diarrhoea. The pharmacist would help you find alternatives if these are not available locally. Take one when you get it and can be taken as required upto 3 per day.
Get well soon.
discussion follows
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back, XXXXXXX
If you have not had Rulide before and feel that you cannot tolerate it, it may be discontinued. Take lot of fluids and ORS as dehydration may be a factor and should be avoided. If it is a viral infection, you do not require an antibiotic. I can help you decide if you can get a total WBC count and differential done and let me know the result.
The tablets I mentioned are to give symptomatic relief by stopping the diarrhoea. The pharmacist would help you find alternatives if these are not available locally. Take one when you get it and can be taken as required upto 3 per day.
Get well soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much Dr. Nobel!
I went to the pharmacy and got a probiotics . I have decided to try amoxicillin once again as I am less scared of it . I also didn't want to take antibiotics as Inthought it was viral and it will go on its own but now it's been almost a week and the throat seems red and I need to travel , so I am thinking to try amoxicillin .
As of now , what do you reckon .. Should I travel on Tuesday or cancel my tickets ?
Also , are there any antibiotics which are gentle on the stomach and are safer ? Is penicillin good ?
I am so sorry I am bothering you with too many questions .
Thanks for all your help.
Regards,
XXXX
Also , should I take amoxicillin for 3 days or 5 days if doing twice a day ?? I will try to tolerate the diarrhoea as long as it's not too bad .
Thanks once again!
XXXX
I went to the pharmacy and got a probiotics . I have decided to try amoxicillin once again as I am less scared of it . I also didn't want to take antibiotics as Inthought it was viral and it will go on its own but now it's been almost a week and the throat seems red and I need to travel , so I am thinking to try amoxicillin .
As of now , what do you reckon .. Should I travel on Tuesday or cancel my tickets ?
Also , are there any antibiotics which are gentle on the stomach and are safer ? Is penicillin good ?
I am so sorry I am bothering you with too many questions .
Thanks for all your help.
Regards,
XXXX
Also , should I take amoxicillin for 3 days or 5 days if doing twice a day ?? I will try to tolerate the diarrhoea as long as it's not too bad .
Thanks once again!
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Welcome
Detailed Answer:
Amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative.
It is to be taken for 5 days.
There may not be any need to postpone your travel, but take some diarhoea stopping medicine like Imodium or Lomotil or equivalent with you. Was the pharmacist not able to help you in this regard. Probiotics would replenish the bacterial flora damaged by the antibiotics but may not have an immediate diarrhoea stopping effect if it is severe and bad.
It was a pleasure interacting with you.
Do get back to me if you have any future queries. I am available on the net
Take Care
Dr Noble Zachariah
www.drnoble.in
Welcome
Detailed Answer:
Amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative.
It is to be taken for 5 days.
There may not be any need to postpone your travel, but take some diarhoea stopping medicine like Imodium or Lomotil or equivalent with you. Was the pharmacist not able to help you in this regard. Probiotics would replenish the bacterial flora damaged by the antibiotics but may not have an immediate diarrhoea stopping effect if it is severe and bad.
It was a pleasure interacting with you.
Do get back to me if you have any future queries. I am available on the net
Take Care
Dr Noble Zachariah
www.drnoble.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Noble ,
Thanks for all your advice. I am overseas now . I started antibiotics on Sunday evening. I am taking amoxicillin twice a day . And so far my body is tolerating them . But I am still feeling sick . I have fever (100.4), coughing out green stuff and running nose and feeling too weak . I am not sure how and when will this temperature go away. How long should I take the antibiotics for ? I have taken 3 tablets (500 mg ) until now . Please advise.
Regards,
XXXX
Sorry , I have taken 6 tablets (500mg) until now . Do I need to increase the dose to thrice a day or should I increase it to 7 days ( twice a day) as I am still not feeling well.
Thanks for all your advice. I am overseas now . I started antibiotics on Sunday evening. I am taking amoxicillin twice a day . And so far my body is tolerating them . But I am still feeling sick . I have fever (100.4), coughing out green stuff and running nose and feeling too weak . I am not sure how and when will this temperature go away. How long should I take the antibiotics for ? I have taken 3 tablets (500 mg ) until now . Please advise.
Regards,
XXXX
Sorry , I have taken 6 tablets (500mg) until now . Do I need to increase the dose to thrice a day or should I increase it to 7 days ( twice a day) as I am still not feeling well.
Brief Answer:
Amoxicillin to be increased.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back XXXXXXX
If you are having fever and greenish sputum still, it is likely to be a bacterial infection and you should take the correct dose of Amoxicillin which is 500mg every 8 hours for 1 week.
In addition for symptomatic relief you can also take paracetamol 1 gram as required and an antihistamine like desloratidine and a cough syrup.
Hope you will get well soon.
Amoxicillin to be increased.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back XXXXXXX
If you are having fever and greenish sputum still, it is likely to be a bacterial infection and you should take the correct dose of Amoxicillin which is 500mg every 8 hours for 1 week.
In addition for symptomatic relief you can also take paracetamol 1 gram as required and an antihistamine like desloratidine and a cough syrup.
Hope you will get well soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for all your help!
I have already taken 6 tablets in last 3 days , and I will start taking thrice a day from today onwards. Do I need to take them for next 7 days ??
I have already taken 6 tablets in last 3 days , and I will start taking thrice a day from today onwards. Do I need to take them for next 7 days ??
Brief Answer:
5 days
Detailed Answer:
5 more days may be sufficient.
Keep in touch if there is any health issue.
5 days
Detailed Answer:
5 more days may be sufficient.
Keep in touch if there is any health issue.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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