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Does Intake Of Prednisone For Sore Throat Lead To Pink Sputum?
Question: I have been exsposed to step throat. Symptom of sore throat,temp, body aches, dry hacking cough. At the urgent care, I was tested no flu, so they gave me azithromycin 5 daily doses. Icprednisone20mgo tablet, taking 2 tablets, yesterday and today. Today, my cough does bring up pink sputum. Never happened before. Could the prednisone cause the bleeding? Should I stop the prednisone?
Brief Answer:
It can be simply throat irritation but needs evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic!
First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through.Based on the history you have shared, it seems as if you have suffered from upper respiratory tract infection, and pink sputum or blood streaks in sputum can be due to frequent coughing leading to mucosal injury in throat or pharynx. However careful throat examination by an ENT specialist and sputum culture for AFB and gram positive bacteria should be done alongwith clotting profile to rule out blood thinning or other reasons of easy bleeding. Prednisone is less likely to be the cause but can lead gastric irritation and bleeding but through throat it is less often. If other reports turn put to be normal then you can with hold prednisone but after discussing with your GP and never stop steroids abruptly but tapper them off gradually by decreasing dose over 2-3 days atleast. If blood in sputum persists for longer times then vasculitis profile and Tuberculosis should be ruled out. Meanwhile keep usjng saline water gargles and steam inhalations alongwoth cough suppressants. Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
It can be simply throat irritation but needs evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic!
First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through.Based on the history you have shared, it seems as if you have suffered from upper respiratory tract infection, and pink sputum or blood streaks in sputum can be due to frequent coughing leading to mucosal injury in throat or pharynx. However careful throat examination by an ENT specialist and sputum culture for AFB and gram positive bacteria should be done alongwith clotting profile to rule out blood thinning or other reasons of easy bleeding. Prednisone is less likely to be the cause but can lead gastric irritation and bleeding but through throat it is less often. If other reports turn put to be normal then you can with hold prednisone but after discussing with your GP and never stop steroids abruptly but tapper them off gradually by decreasing dose over 2-3 days atleast. If blood in sputum persists for longer times then vasculitis profile and Tuberculosis should be ruled out. Meanwhile keep usjng saline water gargles and steam inhalations alongwoth cough suppressants. Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
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. Prasad
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