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Are Intermittent Productive Cough With Green Phlegm Signs Of COPD?
Question: I have an intermittent cough which produces small amounts of green phlegm. This has lasted 3 weeks after being diagnosed with a URI on 7/14 and receiving & taking antibiotics for 10 days. I have previously been diagnosed with asthma at age 21 but rarely have a problem with it. Am I developing COPD? Or is this just an annoying lingering illness?
Brief Answer:
Persistent infection, repeat culture and continue antibiotics.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms XXXXXXX
Thank you for writing in with your health concern.
I have read through your description and understand your concern.
You don't seem to be developing COPD.
The issue quite probably seems to be lingering infection/illness. The antibiotic course seems to be inadequate and you will need to get a repeat sputum culture and sensitivity testing done to correctly identify the bacteria (most likely it will be Pseudomonas).
Antibiogram will be necessary to treat you correctly and not let this linger on.
You will most likely require a course of 4th generation cephalosporins for some extended period like 3 weeks to completely get rid of the bacteria from your body.
Kindly discuss with your treating infectious diseases specialist and proceed forward.
Wishing you speedy recovery and best of health.
Best regards
Persistent infection, repeat culture and continue antibiotics.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms XXXXXXX
Thank you for writing in with your health concern.
I have read through your description and understand your concern.
You don't seem to be developing COPD.
The issue quite probably seems to be lingering infection/illness. The antibiotic course seems to be inadequate and you will need to get a repeat sputum culture and sensitivity testing done to correctly identify the bacteria (most likely it will be Pseudomonas).
Antibiogram will be necessary to treat you correctly and not let this linger on.
You will most likely require a course of 4th generation cephalosporins for some extended period like 3 weeks to completely get rid of the bacteria from your body.
Kindly discuss with your treating infectious diseases specialist and proceed forward.
Wishing you speedy recovery and best of health.
Best regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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