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Suggest Treatment For Sore Throat, Coughing Up Of Mucus And Nasal Congestion
Question: yes - I have had a chest cold for 4 days (coughing up mucous and distorted voice) along with fatigue and moderate nasal congestion. No fever. Very slight sore throat. Should I take an antibiotic or just get rest, drink fluids and wait it out?
Brief Answer:
you don't need antibiotics.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
Since you are having chest congestion with mucus ,no fever, nasal congestion and laryngitis (distorted voice),sore throat , you are having a common cold which is a viral infection.
At this point you don't need to take antibiotics because it won't cure a viral infection.
A common cold usually with resolve on it's own for 1-2 weeks.
You need to rest , drink plenty of fluids , and do some steam inhalation (probably take an hot shower or inhale stem) to help with the congestion and loosening mucus.
You also can take an mucolytic syrup to thin the mucus in airways.
You will feel better after some days .
If the cough with mucus lasts more than 2 weeks or if you experience fever ,difficulty breathing you may need to consult a physician ,who can perform an physical examination (auscultation of your lungs) and if you have developed an secondary bacterial infection (a complication of common cold) he will prescribe you a course of antibiotics if needed.
Right now taking antibiotics will not help,because the symptoms are caused from an viral infection.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
you don't need antibiotics.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
Since you are having chest congestion with mucus ,no fever, nasal congestion and laryngitis (distorted voice),sore throat , you are having a common cold which is a viral infection.
At this point you don't need to take antibiotics because it won't cure a viral infection.
A common cold usually with resolve on it's own for 1-2 weeks.
You need to rest , drink plenty of fluids , and do some steam inhalation (probably take an hot shower or inhale stem) to help with the congestion and loosening mucus.
You also can take an mucolytic syrup to thin the mucus in airways.
You will feel better after some days .
If the cough with mucus lasts more than 2 weeks or if you experience fever ,difficulty breathing you may need to consult a physician ,who can perform an physical examination (auscultation of your lungs) and if you have developed an secondary bacterial infection (a complication of common cold) he will prescribe you a course of antibiotics if needed.
Right now taking antibiotics will not help,because the symptoms are caused from an viral infection.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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