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What Are The Symptoms Of Pneumonia?
Question: Hello,
I was wondering if I had pneumonia, I was sick last week with a head cold, now I am coughing and this morning I hacked up dark green really thick and sticky phlegm, I feel congested in my chest, and I keep coughing because in the back of my throat it feels like something scratchy, I have been coughing up some more mucous, but it has been more clear, just this morning it was dark green, I do sometimes feel like I can't get a good deep breath, which is scary. Any help would be great.
I was wondering if I had pneumonia, I was sick last week with a head cold, now I am coughing and this morning I hacked up dark green really thick and sticky phlegm, I feel congested in my chest, and I keep coughing because in the back of my throat it feels like something scratchy, I have been coughing up some more mucous, but it has been more clear, just this morning it was dark green, I do sometimes feel like I can't get a good deep breath, which is scary. Any help would be great.
Brief Answer:
Bronchitis or pneumonia.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for using Healthcare Magic. From your description, you are likely to be developing bronchitis or pneumonia. In most instances, treatment of these conditions is straightforward.
Drink plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration. Rest as much as possible. Honey and lemon in warm water may ease a sore throat. Paracetamol and ibuprofen will help with any fever that may develop and also help with pain that may be caused by persistent coughing. Antibiotics will help so a visit to your doctor will be necessary. If you feel tight-chested then an inhaler such as salbutamol will help.
For someone your age, a full recovery in about a week to 10 days would be expected.
I hope this is of help. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger
Bronchitis or pneumonia.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for using Healthcare Magic. From your description, you are likely to be developing bronchitis or pneumonia. In most instances, treatment of these conditions is straightforward.
Drink plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration. Rest as much as possible. Honey and lemon in warm water may ease a sore throat. Paracetamol and ibuprofen will help with any fever that may develop and also help with pain that may be caused by persistent coughing. Antibiotics will help so a visit to your doctor will be necessary. If you feel tight-chested then an inhaler such as salbutamol will help.
For someone your age, a full recovery in about a week to 10 days would be expected.
I hope this is of help. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is there any way to know whether it's pneumonia or bronchitis, I have heard that pneumonia is much more serious.
Brief Answer:
Bronchitis is less severe.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your further question. Bronchitis and pneumonia do share some common symptoms, however pneumonia tends to be more serious especially in the older patient (which you are not).
Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus and pneumonia is usually caused by a bacteria. With bronchitis there is often a dry cough at the start which progresses to a cough productive of green mucus. With pneumonia the cough produces green or rusty mucus from early on and there may be blood in the mucus.
Generally, there is no fever with bronchitis but fever is a feature of pneumonia.
The X-ray may look normal in bronchitis but show changes in pneumonia. Also with pneumonia there may be associated rigors, a fast heart rate and breathing rate.
Bronchitis usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks until you would be back to full fitness whilst pneumonia lasts longer and is a more severe.
As a generalisation, antibiotics do not always help if it is a viral cause but a visit to your doctor may help to decide whether antibiotics are appropriate.
I hope this helps explain the differences.
Please contact me if you need any further information or help.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger
Bronchitis is less severe.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your further question. Bronchitis and pneumonia do share some common symptoms, however pneumonia tends to be more serious especially in the older patient (which you are not).
Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus and pneumonia is usually caused by a bacteria. With bronchitis there is often a dry cough at the start which progresses to a cough productive of green mucus. With pneumonia the cough produces green or rusty mucus from early on and there may be blood in the mucus.
Generally, there is no fever with bronchitis but fever is a feature of pneumonia.
The X-ray may look normal in bronchitis but show changes in pneumonia. Also with pneumonia there may be associated rigors, a fast heart rate and breathing rate.
Bronchitis usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks until you would be back to full fitness whilst pneumonia lasts longer and is a more severe.
As a generalisation, antibiotics do not always help if it is a viral cause but a visit to your doctor may help to decide whether antibiotics are appropriate.
I hope this helps explain the differences.
Please contact me if you need any further information or help.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Kerry Pottinger
Pain Medicine & Palliative Care Specialist
Practicing since :1983
Answered : 1337 Questions
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