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What Causes Chronic Persistent Cough In Adults?
Question: Hi I have had the flu for a month went to Dr now she found I had Bronchitis I have taking cough meds to no avail my back hurts a lot from coughing what kind of exam do I need to see if my lungs are ok and is there anything this dr should have prescribe? Thank u I am desperate
Brief Answer:
Chest X-ray
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a full description of the symptoms would have helped more. Did you have fever? How long did it last?
If you had fever for a few days but it's gone now, this probably means that you still have post-infectious cough, which is not uncommon. This usually resolves after a month or perhaps even more but it should get better over time.
Clinical examination may reveal abnormal auscultatory sounds which may be helpful to determine for example whether bronchoconstriction has occurred.
Depending on the clinical information, a chest X-ray might be needed. The chest X-ray might show a consolidated area in the lung (pneumonia).
So the full answer to your query is that the chest X-ray may confirm or exclude the diagnosis of lung infection (pneumonia) but clinical examination would be required for functional abnormalities (like constriction of the airways). The treatment would be different depending on the results.
Whatever makes you feel better is acceptable but do not expect cough suppressants to make the cough disappear. For bronchoconstriction, bronchodilators like beta agonists can be used. If active infection is present, antibiotic treatment would be appropriate.
I hope I've clarified your situation a bit.
Contact me again, using your follow-up questions, if you'd like to ask anything more.
Kind Regards!
Chest X-ray
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a full description of the symptoms would have helped more. Did you have fever? How long did it last?
If you had fever for a few days but it's gone now, this probably means that you still have post-infectious cough, which is not uncommon. This usually resolves after a month or perhaps even more but it should get better over time.
Clinical examination may reveal abnormal auscultatory sounds which may be helpful to determine for example whether bronchoconstriction has occurred.
Depending on the clinical information, a chest X-ray might be needed. The chest X-ray might show a consolidated area in the lung (pneumonia).
So the full answer to your query is that the chest X-ray may confirm or exclude the diagnosis of lung infection (pneumonia) but clinical examination would be required for functional abnormalities (like constriction of the airways). The treatment would be different depending on the results.
Whatever makes you feel better is acceptable but do not expect cough suppressants to make the cough disappear. For bronchoconstriction, bronchodilators like beta agonists can be used. If active infection is present, antibiotic treatment would be appropriate.
I hope I've clarified your situation a bit.
Contact me again, using your follow-up questions, if you'd like to ask anything more.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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