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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough While Recovering From Chest Infection
Question: Have had a cold for 6 weeks now. Went to doctor 2 weeks ago and got Cipro for chest infection. It did nothing for me. Still cough a few times per day, but all other symptoms are gone. Using inhaler because I have Asthma. So, is there anything else I can do other than go back to the doctor. I feel fine, no fever or anything else just coughing but no flem or anything is being coughed up.
Brief Answer:
No infection as it seems
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for asking HealthCareMagic.
I have gone through your question and I can understand your concern.
A cough without anything coughed up is a dry cough.
As per your description, the chest infection (respiratory tract infection) is gone, the antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) although you didn't feel like, should've worked since you don't have any symptoms of infection (no fever/chills, no coughing phlegm..).
Coughing may persist several weeks after the respiratory tract infection, is one of the last symptoms that disappear.
A dry cough may be a trigger symptom of your asthma or allergies.
Follow these advices:
-Drink plenty of water (stay hydrated ), drink luke-warm drinks.
-Avoid heavy activities (sweating) that make your cough worse
-Avoid too dry or moist air
-Use your asthma medication carefully(you can let me know the list of them so that I can look into it closely).
No smoking (if you do), avoid populated places, and any dusty areas.
If you have breathing problems that you can not control with your normal asthma medication you should go to your local physician for a further check-up and optimization of the asthma medications.
If you take any of this medications for your blood pressure: enalapril, lisinopril (or any other medication that finish with "pril") you need to change with another regimen of blood pressure lowering medications.
Hope I have answered your question, let me know if you have other queries I will be happy to help.
Take Care!
Dr. Balliu.
No infection as it seems
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for asking HealthCareMagic.
I have gone through your question and I can understand your concern.
A cough without anything coughed up is a dry cough.
As per your description, the chest infection (respiratory tract infection) is gone, the antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) although you didn't feel like, should've worked since you don't have any symptoms of infection (no fever/chills, no coughing phlegm..).
Coughing may persist several weeks after the respiratory tract infection, is one of the last symptoms that disappear.
A dry cough may be a trigger symptom of your asthma or allergies.
Follow these advices:
-Drink plenty of water (stay hydrated ), drink luke-warm drinks.
-Avoid heavy activities (sweating) that make your cough worse
-Avoid too dry or moist air
-Use your asthma medication carefully(you can let me know the list of them so that I can look into it closely).
No smoking (if you do), avoid populated places, and any dusty areas.
If you have breathing problems that you can not control with your normal asthma medication you should go to your local physician for a further check-up and optimization of the asthma medications.
If you take any of this medications for your blood pressure: enalapril, lisinopril (or any other medication that finish with "pril") you need to change with another regimen of blood pressure lowering medications.
Hope I have answered your question, let me know if you have other queries I will be happy to help.
Take Care!
Dr. Balliu.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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