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Suggest Treatment For A Persistent Cough, Fever And Chest Congestion
Question: Iwent to the doctor the first of April with a cough, low grade temperature, and congestion. After a x-ray it was determined that there was no pneumonia,flu test was negative, so it was diagnosed as allergy. Now 6 weeks later I still have the cough. It is worse at night when I lie down. I am using cough drops only. Should I go back to have it checked or should I wait longer to see if it goes away?
Brief Answer:
should be reassessed
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
A cough that lasts 3 to 8 weeks is called a subacute (not that recently started) cough and when it lasts longer than 8, it is called a chronic (long term) cough.
The most common causes for these long coughs are: (1) post viral cough- in persons with a recent viral infection, a cough can last up the 6 weeks after the other cough/cold symptoms have resolved
(2)post nasal drip of mucus- there are some persons who are not aware of the drip itself and only have the cough. This is the most common reason for chronic cough.
It is treated with antihistamine/decongestant combinations such as benadryl d, zyrtec d, allegra d , claritine d
Unfortunately it can sometimes take 2 to 3 weeks for the medication to have an effect
If these are being used with no effect, there are additional meds that can be added
(3)GERD- reflux is also another common cause. Some persons may have more than one cause combined.
Treated with diet changes and reflux medications
(4)Asthma- there would normally be a history of asthma
(5)non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis- inflammation of the bronchi (air passages) associated with the presence of certain types of white blood cells
You can consider going back to your doctor to find the exact cause so that he or she can give you the medication and treatment plan that works best.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
should be reassessed
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
A cough that lasts 3 to 8 weeks is called a subacute (not that recently started) cough and when it lasts longer than 8, it is called a chronic (long term) cough.
The most common causes for these long coughs are: (1) post viral cough- in persons with a recent viral infection, a cough can last up the 6 weeks after the other cough/cold symptoms have resolved
(2)post nasal drip of mucus- there are some persons who are not aware of the drip itself and only have the cough. This is the most common reason for chronic cough.
It is treated with antihistamine/decongestant combinations such as benadryl d, zyrtec d, allegra d , claritine d
Unfortunately it can sometimes take 2 to 3 weeks for the medication to have an effect
If these are being used with no effect, there are additional meds that can be added
(3)GERD- reflux is also another common cause. Some persons may have more than one cause combined.
Treated with diet changes and reflux medications
(4)Asthma- there would normally be a history of asthma
(5)non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis- inflammation of the bronchi (air passages) associated with the presence of certain types of white blood cells
You can consider going back to your doctor to find the exact cause so that he or she can give you the medication and treatment plan that works best.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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