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What Causes Persistent Cold, Fever, Sore Throat, Nasal Congestion And Productive Chest Cough?
Question: I have had a cold for 14 days. Started with 102 temps on/off for 2 days, then bright red throat (sore), which gave way to solid nasal congestion and productive chest cough (dark yellow mucus). Throughout, there are days my ears feel very pressured around or deep in head. Today, day 14, again I feel like my ears are full of water & trouble hearing. Saw dr last week, they said to sit it out. Is there anything I can do for my ear(s)? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
A couple of thoughts:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Your doctor is wise to not be too quick with prescribing antibiotics. There are a couple of things that might help your ears.
Pseudoephedrine: This can help decongest your ears, but should not be used for more than 5 days as it can make the secretions dryer and if they don't get out of the ears, then it can sometimes make the problem worse. But for a few days, it can help and may be just enough time for your body to recover from this virus.
Pseudoephedrine is no longer sold on the shelves of drug stores - it is kept behind the counter. Simply ask the pharmacist for it. The reason for this is to prevent drug dealers from buying large quantities of it and "cooking" it into illegal drugs.
Guaifenesin: This is what is in the regular Mucinex. Guaifenesin draws water into the thick secretions, allowing them to move out of places where they are stuck. For it to work, you need to drink a lot of water. It is a very safe drug. Used together with pseudo ephedrine, it can help.
When using saline rinses, be careful not to blow nose, or at least do it extremely gently, as that increases the chance of fluid going into the middle ear.
Rest as much as you can to help your immune system do what it needs to do.
I hope this helps and that you are feeling better soon!
A couple of thoughts:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Your doctor is wise to not be too quick with prescribing antibiotics. There are a couple of things that might help your ears.
Pseudoephedrine: This can help decongest your ears, but should not be used for more than 5 days as it can make the secretions dryer and if they don't get out of the ears, then it can sometimes make the problem worse. But for a few days, it can help and may be just enough time for your body to recover from this virus.
Pseudoephedrine is no longer sold on the shelves of drug stores - it is kept behind the counter. Simply ask the pharmacist for it. The reason for this is to prevent drug dealers from buying large quantities of it and "cooking" it into illegal drugs.
Guaifenesin: This is what is in the regular Mucinex. Guaifenesin draws water into the thick secretions, allowing them to move out of places where they are stuck. For it to work, you need to drink a lot of water. It is a very safe drug. Used together with pseudo ephedrine, it can help.
When using saline rinses, be careful not to blow nose, or at least do it extremely gently, as that increases the chance of fluid going into the middle ear.
Rest as much as you can to help your immune system do what it needs to do.
I hope this helps and that you are feeling better soon!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much!
Brief Answer:
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I should add that if you feel you need to use the pseudo ephedrine more than 5 days, take a break for a few days and then you can restart if needed.
If in the future, you ask a question and want it routed to me, just put my name (or Dr. Bonnie) at the beginning of the question. This usually works.
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I should add that if you feel you need to use the pseudo ephedrine more than 5 days, take a break for a few days and then you can restart if needed.
If in the future, you ask a question and want it routed to me, just put my name (or Dr. Bonnie) at the beginning of the question. This usually works.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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