Brief Answer:
Please see a doctor to check for severity of infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.

Otc cold medications commonly have a combination of drugs to relieve multiple symptoms. These iclude Anti histamines, mucolytics, vasocontrictors.

The vasoconstrictors can worsen atrial fibrillation (AF) and should not me taken.
Mucolytics (ambroxol , guaiphenesin, bromhexine) can help loosen up the phlegm and facilitate clearing it from your lungs as you cough.

Would you clarify a few things for me?
*do you have a fever?
*what colour is the sputum/phlegm?
*any difficulty in breathing?
*any chest pain? Throat pain? Difficulty swallowing?
*what exactly are your symptoms and for how long have you had them?
*do you have any other medical issues or take any medications?

I recommend :
-a physician consult
-chest x-ray
-blood tests (complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, c-reactive protein)
-sputum culture
-antibiotics based on clinical findings
-mucolytics if indicated

Based on this we can arrive any a diagnosis and check for pneumonia. Further tests may be necessary based on the clinical findings.

In the meantime :
-stay well hydrated. Colds can make you dehydrated which worsens the cough and thicken secretions.
-do steam inhalations thrice a day.
-keep sleep environment moist
-garlic is a natural Mucolytic and a powerful antioxidant. Saute them in a little oil or boil them with milk or soup and have them (about 3-5 individual pods a day)
-make a concoction of black tea (half teaspoon) with ginger(quarter teaspoon), fennel seeds (1 teaspoon) in 2 cups (a total of 300ml) water and boil it for 5 minutes.
Store this in a flask and have 2 tablespoon full (about 30ml) with a little honey every 2 hrs.

-soak a cotton with eucalyptus oil and keep it near you bed. You may add a few drops to your bath water and inhale the vapors.

-Gargling with dissolvable aspirin helps relieve throat pain.
-have warm liquids (soups, for instance). Keep sipping warm water through the day.

See your doctor right away If you :
-have a fever of more than a 100.4 Fahrenheit for more than 2 days
-have breathing difficulty or chest pain
-Have giddiness or severe cough
-are not able to sleep due to the cough or have noisy breathing
-Have blood in your sputum.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
I urge you to see your doctor ASAP.
Wish you good health

Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

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Brief Answer:
Time to see a doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and clarifications.

*how low is your blood pressure?
*does your lung hurt on any particular side or both sides?
*does it hurt only when you cough? Or even otherwise?
*do you have any breathing difficulty?
*when is the cough worse?
*is the cough worsen when you lie down or when you exert?


The blood that you mentioned seems to be due to the strain of the cough. You may have bronchospasm, hence the worsened cough
-please see a doctor as soon as possible (today, if possible).
As the fever has gone, I think chest congestion is most likely.
Please Consider my earlier recommendations. It should help.
If at any point any of the warning signs occur (high fever, breathing difficulty, giddiness, chest pain), go to the ER immediately.

Hope I've helped. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

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