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What Causes Productive Cough With Green Sputum, Headache, Sore Throat And Fever?
Question: I have generally felt poorly since Friday. My theoat has been sore and red but with no white looking marks on the back. I ran a low grade fever on Friday night that subsided on Saturday. I felt better so i went to work Mon., Tues., and yesterday although I felt tired and was coughing. Last night, I came home from work with a splitting headache, raging sore throat, coughing up green sputum, tight breathing, and fever of 100.
Brief Answer:
likely due to upper respiratory tract infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
I have read your query and understand the concern.
Coughing with greenish sputum,headache,sore throat with fever are likely due to upper respiratory tract infection (like pharyngitis) or acute bronchitis but it should be evaluated further by clinical examination and some relevant tests.
So,in my advise you should go for some routine blood works (CBC),ESR and X- ray chest which will be helpful to make some clear diagnosis whether it is due to viral infection or bacterial (like streptococcal pharyngitis) or some allergic.
However,generally this kind of symptoms are viral origin and slightly unlikely to be due to bacterial infection.
Meanwhile,you can take some below mentioned over the counter medications for symptomatic relief.
1) Pain killer and anti-inflammatory combinations like Aleve (naproxen) with ibuprofen 400 mg to reduce pain and further inflammation in throat.
2) Take tablet Mucinex-Dm (available OTC) twice daily which contains Dextromethorphan which is a cough suppressant in combination with Guaifenesin which is an expectorant and helps to loosen congestion in your throat and making it easier to cough out mucus/sputum.
3) Nebulizer (with budesonide respules) 3 to 4 times a day with steam inhalation will also be helpful to prevent further episodes of coughing and steam inhalation will loosen the cough making easier to expel out the sputum through mouth.
4) Drink plenty of fluids and avoid cold water or any other cold products like ice-cream etc.
5) Antibiotics (Preferably levofloxacin 500 mg) would also be a good choice for at least 5 to 7 days course if coughing does not subside with symptomatic medications or bacterial infection found on blood tests.
However, for antibiotics,you will have to see some local physician or ENT specialist who may prescribe it after clinical examination and some relevant tests.
Hope this will help you.Let me know if you have more questions.
Thanks and Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
likely due to upper respiratory tract infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
I have read your query and understand the concern.
Coughing with greenish sputum,headache,sore throat with fever are likely due to upper respiratory tract infection (like pharyngitis) or acute bronchitis but it should be evaluated further by clinical examination and some relevant tests.
So,in my advise you should go for some routine blood works (CBC),ESR and X- ray chest which will be helpful to make some clear diagnosis whether it is due to viral infection or bacterial (like streptococcal pharyngitis) or some allergic.
However,generally this kind of symptoms are viral origin and slightly unlikely to be due to bacterial infection.
Meanwhile,you can take some below mentioned over the counter medications for symptomatic relief.
1) Pain killer and anti-inflammatory combinations like Aleve (naproxen) with ibuprofen 400 mg to reduce pain and further inflammation in throat.
2) Take tablet Mucinex-Dm (available OTC) twice daily which contains Dextromethorphan which is a cough suppressant in combination with Guaifenesin which is an expectorant and helps to loosen congestion in your throat and making it easier to cough out mucus/sputum.
3) Nebulizer (with budesonide respules) 3 to 4 times a day with steam inhalation will also be helpful to prevent further episodes of coughing and steam inhalation will loosen the cough making easier to expel out the sputum through mouth.
4) Drink plenty of fluids and avoid cold water or any other cold products like ice-cream etc.
5) Antibiotics (Preferably levofloxacin 500 mg) would also be a good choice for at least 5 to 7 days course if coughing does not subside with symptomatic medications or bacterial infection found on blood tests.
However, for antibiotics,you will have to see some local physician or ENT specialist who may prescribe it after clinical examination and some relevant tests.
Hope this will help you.Let me know if you have more questions.
Thanks and Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
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. Yogesh D
Answered by
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