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What May Have Caused Cough, Nasal And Chest Congestion Along With Mild Fever?
Question: I've been sick for a week cauph, lots of mucus from nasal and lungs, mild fever from 99.5-101.1.
I've been taking Tylenol, and ibuprofen but I still feel horrible.
I have no medical insurance just want to know when is a definitive time to go to urgency?
I have a headache but not vomiting or diarrhea.
Just a bad cold that doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I've been taking Tylenol, and ibuprofen but I still feel horrible.
I have no medical insurance just want to know when is a definitive time to go to urgency?
I have a headache but not vomiting or diarrhea.
Just a bad cold that doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Consult your doctor when fever is high
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
It seems that you are having a viral infection of upper respiratory tract,most likely a common cold.
It is a self limited condition that doesn't need any specific treatment.The infection will run its course for 1-2 weeks and then the symptoms will resolve.
You need to rest a lot, eat healthy and stay hydrated (drink plenty of water).
-You can try to do steam inhalation.You can use a nebulizer machine that passes out steam, or simply boil a large bowl of water, pour it in a basin and then cover your head and inhale the steam. This will make the secretions in your respiratory tract thinner and easier to get out improving the congestion.
Taking hot showers also helps.
You can take a mucolytic syrup over the counter for the same reason.
-Salt water gargling several times a day can help if you have sore throat and can loose the secretions.
-Drink lot of tea with lemon and honey during the day.
Taking Ibuprofen ,Naproxen or Paracetamol will help with the headache,body aches and the fever.
I can understand that these symptoms can be really annoying and make you feel terrible but the infection has to run its course.
You may need to see a physician if you start to have high fever ,difficulty breathing , or if your symptoms doesn't seem to improve after 1 week.
In this case you might have developed a complication of common cold that is a secondary bacterial infection (pneumonia ) and in this case you will need a course of antibiotics to treat it.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.
Wish you a quick and complete recovery.
Dr.Rovena Murati
Consult your doctor when fever is high
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
It seems that you are having a viral infection of upper respiratory tract,most likely a common cold.
It is a self limited condition that doesn't need any specific treatment.The infection will run its course for 1-2 weeks and then the symptoms will resolve.
You need to rest a lot, eat healthy and stay hydrated (drink plenty of water).
-You can try to do steam inhalation.You can use a nebulizer machine that passes out steam, or simply boil a large bowl of water, pour it in a basin and then cover your head and inhale the steam. This will make the secretions in your respiratory tract thinner and easier to get out improving the congestion.
Taking hot showers also helps.
You can take a mucolytic syrup over the counter for the same reason.
-Salt water gargling several times a day can help if you have sore throat and can loose the secretions.
-Drink lot of tea with lemon and honey during the day.
Taking Ibuprofen ,Naproxen or Paracetamol will help with the headache,body aches and the fever.
I can understand that these symptoms can be really annoying and make you feel terrible but the infection has to run its course.
You may need to see a physician if you start to have high fever ,difficulty breathing , or if your symptoms doesn't seem to improve after 1 week.
In this case you might have developed a complication of common cold that is a secondary bacterial infection (pneumonia ) and in this case you will need a course of antibiotics to treat it.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.
Wish you a quick and complete recovery.
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I do have green to brown flem is this normal?
Brief Answer:
Color of sputum changes as the infection progresses.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I apologize for the delay in answering you.
The color of sputum will change as the infection progresses. In the initial stage, the sputum is clear and it changes to green-yellow-light brown due to the inflammatory changes in the airways. This doesn't mean that it is getting worse but it is the normal course of an infection.
The cough may last up to 2 weeks or more because the lining of the respiratory tract need some time to heal.
If your start to have a persistent fever over 101-102, difficulty breathing, chest pain, consult a physician right away.
Take care,
Dr.Rovena
Color of sputum changes as the infection progresses.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I apologize for the delay in answering you.
The color of sputum will change as the infection progresses. In the initial stage, the sputum is clear and it changes to green-yellow-light brown due to the inflammatory changes in the airways. This doesn't mean that it is getting worse but it is the normal course of an infection.
The cough may last up to 2 weeks or more because the lining of the respiratory tract need some time to heal.
If your start to have a persistent fever over 101-102, difficulty breathing, chest pain, consult a physician right away.
Take care,
Dr.Rovena
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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