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I Started With A Cold Runny Nose And Sore Throat
Question: I started with a cold runny nose and sore throat about 12 days ago on a trip and got home started on 5 day Z pack antibiotic. Now on 5th day and still coughing up some yellowish colored flemgm with some cough. Right side of chest aches some. I suspect I had bronchitis. Do I need more antibiotic or should I clear up soon?
Brief Answer:
Should clear up soon
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. Your symptoms of cough with runny nose and sore throat sound like a cold as you said, which is a viral infection and won't be helped by antibiotics. The fact that you did not seem to get much better after the azithromycin I think confirms this, so unless you are developing high fevers or worsening shortness of breath, I would not recommend using any more antibiotics. A cough from a viral respiratory infection can sometimes last for several weeks, though by about day 10 should be improving.
I would suggest taking an antihistamine/decongestant combination such as Claritin-D if you are having any nasal congestion, which may be causing postnasal drip and making your cough worse. You can also use something with dextromethorphan in it (such as Robitussin) to help with the cough. Again, if you start to develop fevers above 100.4 F (38.0 C), this may be a sign of a bacterial infection for which you might need a different antibiotic.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about that and I would be glad to discuss it further with you.
Should clear up soon
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. Your symptoms of cough with runny nose and sore throat sound like a cold as you said, which is a viral infection and won't be helped by antibiotics. The fact that you did not seem to get much better after the azithromycin I think confirms this, so unless you are developing high fevers or worsening shortness of breath, I would not recommend using any more antibiotics. A cough from a viral respiratory infection can sometimes last for several weeks, though by about day 10 should be improving.
I would suggest taking an antihistamine/decongestant combination such as Claritin-D if you are having any nasal congestion, which may be causing postnasal drip and making your cough worse. You can also use something with dextromethorphan in it (such as Robitussin) to help with the cough. Again, if you start to develop fevers above 100.4 F (38.0 C), this may be a sign of a bacterial infection for which you might need a different antibiotic.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about that and I would be glad to discuss it further with you.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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