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What Causes Coughing Up Of Clear Mucus, Bilateral Rib And Back Pain?

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Posted on Mon, 5 Oct 2015
Question: Bilateral rib pain and back pain coughing up clear mucous. Low grade temp. Back pain has subsided and rib pain seems a bit better. This all started with a runny nose.
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Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
respiratory tract infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

It looks like you are suffering from a respiratory tract infection. Low grade temperature and clear mucous points towards an infection of viral eitiology. The rib and back pain is because of the coughing and fever itself.

Here is what you should do

1. Continue to take Tylenol for the fever. You can take it upto 3 times a day
2. I recommend tab levocetrizine 10 mg once in the morning and once at night. This will help you with the cough. This tablet might make you a bit sleepy, if being alert is important to you then please skip the morning dose.
3. I also recommend an expectorant. Tab n-acetylcysteine 600mg twice a day will help you to bring out the mucous
4. Keep yourself warm at all times
5. Avoid cold food and beverages
6. Avoid milk and milk products
7. Avoid smoking and alcohol

If the symptoms do not improve in 5-6 days, I recommend approaching a GP for complete blood count and a chest x ray

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha

Nephrologist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 4364 Questions

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What Causes Coughing Up Of Clear Mucus, Bilateral Rib And Back Pain?

Brief Answer: respiratory tract infection Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query It looks like you are suffering from a respiratory tract infection. Low grade temperature and clear mucous points towards an infection of viral eitiology. The rib and back pain is because of the coughing and fever itself. Here is what you should do 1. Continue to take Tylenol for the fever. You can take it upto 3 times a day 2. I recommend tab levocetrizine 10 mg once in the morning and once at night. This will help you with the cough. This tablet might make you a bit sleepy, if being alert is important to you then please skip the morning dose. 3. I also recommend an expectorant. Tab n-acetylcysteine 600mg twice a day will help you to bring out the mucous 4. Keep yourself warm at all times 5. Avoid cold food and beverages 6. Avoid milk and milk products 7. Avoid smoking and alcohol If the symptoms do not improve in 5-6 days, I recommend approaching a GP for complete blood count and a chest x ray I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me Regards