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What Causes Persistent Dry Cough And Right-sided Chest Pain While Treating Bronchitis?
Question: I am recovering from the flu which developed into bronchitis I have completed three different rounds of antibiotics and now I have a dry cough that makes my back hurt mostly in the upper right hand side of my lung area. I have an albuterol inhaler but it doesn't seem to help. Have a headache and am fatigued.
Brief Answer:
A short course of steroids, antihistamine/decongestant.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Pneumonia can be viral or bacterial. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with a course of antibiotics and should have responded to the Keflex, though some bacteria may be resistant to some antibiotics.
It is possible that you need a course of steroids to reduce the inflammation in your airways.
Bronchitis can cause inflammation/irritation of the airways that is sometimes relieved by a short 3 to 5-day course of steroids. A short course would not cause any of the long term complications associated with steroid use.
This can be combined with an antihistamine/decongestant combination even if there is no nasal congestion. Post nasal drip of mucus can sometimes also be the cause of a persistent cough and it is silent/not detected in 1 out of 5 persons.
Antihistamine/decongestant combinations help with this.
e.g. zyrtec d, allegra d, claritine d, benadryl d
A headache can occur with persistent coughing and the continual illness would definitely contribute to your fatigue.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
A short course of steroids, antihistamine/decongestant.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Pneumonia can be viral or bacterial. Bacterial pneumonia is treated with a course of antibiotics and should have responded to the Keflex, though some bacteria may be resistant to some antibiotics.
It is possible that you need a course of steroids to reduce the inflammation in your airways.
Bronchitis can cause inflammation/irritation of the airways that is sometimes relieved by a short 3 to 5-day course of steroids. A short course would not cause any of the long term complications associated with steroid use.
This can be combined with an antihistamine/decongestant combination even if there is no nasal congestion. Post nasal drip of mucus can sometimes also be the cause of a persistent cough and it is silent/not detected in 1 out of 5 persons.
Antihistamine/decongestant combinations help with this.
e.g. zyrtec d, allegra d, claritine d, benadryl d
A headache can occur with persistent coughing and the continual illness would definitely contribute to your fatigue.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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