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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Cold, Runny Nose, Cough And Sore Throat Be Treated?

About 3 weeks ago I went on a trip to Florida to visit family. About four days into my two week trip, I started getting symptoms of a common cold. Runny nose, coughing here and there, as well as a sore throat. Symptoms continued and got worse throughout my stay. Very bad cough, itchy throat, and sore throat to the point that it was hard to swallow my food or even swallow in general. Coming down to the last two days of the trip, cough was not as bad and sore throat began to feel better. I returned home to Boston and the next day the sore throat was back and almost just as bad as it was before. No more runny nose, coughing continued but very rarely, coughing only occurs when I get a bad itch in my throat. I ve been back home about a week and a half now and the sore throat continues to be an issue but it comes and goes. Never fully goes away but, it starts to feel better, and then all of the sudden it gets worse to the point that it s hard to swallow again. At this point, I cough only when lying down in bed and my best guess is because I m lying on my back and whatever flem that s there is irritating my throat. I ve been drinking plenty of water, cough drops about twice a day, and getting plenty of rest. Have not taken any medicine since Florida and all I took there was DayQuil & Nyquil just to ease the pain. No known allergies and I ve been to Florida over 20 times and never had this problem. Also should add that I unfortunately developed pink eye while I was in Florida from a family member that had it at the time. Has since gone away but the two happened within a day of one another. Have not gone to see a doctor yet because I felt that the sore throat would clear up on its own especially because it s on and off, I have no other symptoms, and the pain is no longer devastating like it was in Florida. Thanks in advance for your help!
Mon, 22 May 2017
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OBGYN 's  Response
Thank you for trusting healthcare magic.
What you explain seem to be an upper respiratory tract infection of probably viral origin. Usually its self limiting with time and no or just symptomatic treatment (for uncomfortable symptoms such as headache,etc) but in some cases where there a bacterial co/superinfection, u could have persistence or onset of certain specific symptoms like fever.
Inflammation of certain areas of the upper respiratory tract such as the pharynx leads to irritation and hence the coughing.
I would advice you visit the doctor for a confirmatory diagnosis after lab workup
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How Can Cold, Runny Nose, Cough And Sore Throat Be Treated?

Thank you for trusting healthcare magic. What you explain seem to be an upper respiratory tract infection of probably viral origin. Usually its self limiting with time and no or just symptomatic treatment (for uncomfortable symptoms such as headache,etc) but in some cases where there a bacterial co/superinfection, u could have persistence or onset of certain specific symptoms like fever. Inflammation of certain areas of the upper respiratory tract such as the pharynx leads to irritation and hence the coughing. I would advice you visit the doctor for a confirmatory diagnosis after lab workup