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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough And Thick Yellow Mucus

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Posted on Mon, 23 Mar 2015
Question: MY 80 YEAR OLD HUSBAND HAS HAD A BAD COUGH FOR 5 DAYS AND NOW THE MUCOUS IS THICK AND YELLOW. WE HAVE BEEN SNOWED IN UP UNTIL TODAY SO NOT ABLE TO SEE A DR. WHAT TO DO NOW THAT WE CAN GET OUT?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
a mucolytic would help

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The key would be to use an agent that would reduce the thickness of the secretions so that they can be more easily expelled. This class of drug is called a mucolytic.


Examples of mucolytics are mucomyst, guiafenesin (found in meds such as robitussin, solvipect, hytuss), bisolvan.
In the initial phase of using a mucolytic, there may be a slight increase in coughing as the mucus is expelled.

He should continue the use of copious oral fluids which would also assist in reducing the thickness of secretions.

If there is nasal congestion as well, the use of oral and topical decongestants, which would also be available over the counter would help.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough And Thick Yellow Mucus

Brief Answer: a mucolytic would help Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic The key would be to use an agent that would reduce the thickness of the secretions so that they can be more easily expelled. This class of drug is called a mucolytic. Examples of mucolytics are mucomyst, guiafenesin (found in meds such as robitussin, solvipect, hytuss), bisolvan. In the initial phase of using a mucolytic, there may be a slight increase in coughing as the mucus is expelled. He should continue the use of copious oral fluids which would also assist in reducing the thickness of secretions. If there is nasal congestion as well, the use of oral and topical decongestants, which would also be available over the counter would help. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions