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What Causes Severe Cough With Excess Phlegm In The Throat And Nasal Congestion?
Question: I have had a slight cough and nasal congestion for about a week. The sputum is clear not yellow. No fever but coughing up a lot of flem. I think I have bronchitis but not sure. No fever just a cough. By the way I have never smoked. I am a woman and 68.
Brief Answer:
There is syrup to try and some advises- please see more in detail
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
Cough and phlegma can be very devastating as sometimes they might go beyond a week that it should normally be the length of time with a viral infection. Later cough can even be even harder as it might get dry cough and irritable. Sometimes the next week or two after a viral infection the cough continues while we expect to improve.
Very likely you are having a viral infection that your body is now repairing, the mucosa that the virus has "damaged" and this process might still produce phlgema and cough might go on.
Sometimes pneumonia can make the cough go long and cause phlegma and fever is not always present, especially in what we call "walking pneumonia". Even if you were going through a pneumonia the antibiotic you have used "Zpack" which is Azithromycin covers the causes of pneumonia in Adults and should be sufficient.
A common cause of long-lasting cough is allergy or rhinosinusitis- in this case your nose might still be stuffed and the cough can be productive and might last for weeks to months. You can try Tab Cetirizine 10 mg at night for this for some days and see if it releases the symptoms. If it does release the symptoms than you might need to go on Cetirizine therapy for some weeks every night or you can go to your doctor and ask for nasal steroid spray to help with symptoms of nasal allergy.
Try to drink plenty and especially honey tea can help soothe the throat. Soothing Lozenges might be good for the cough also.
Guaifenesin cough syrup is found to be helpful for the cough so you might try it.
To finish, I would say: keep yourself hydrated and rest as much as you can, eat frequent small amounts of food. Take the Guaifenesin syrup to help with the cough and Cetirizine tablet at night(as explained above). Take steam inhalation thrice daily for next 3-4 days, it should provide some relief too.
Nasal lavage with saline solution several times a day is recommended to help your nostrils clear from secretions. If no improvement in 4-5 days or earlier, if any worsening then you will need to see your doctor and probably consider getting a chest X-ray done.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your question
I wish you quick healing
Kind Regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
There is syrup to try and some advises- please see more in detail
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
Cough and phlegma can be very devastating as sometimes they might go beyond a week that it should normally be the length of time with a viral infection. Later cough can even be even harder as it might get dry cough and irritable. Sometimes the next week or two after a viral infection the cough continues while we expect to improve.
Very likely you are having a viral infection that your body is now repairing, the mucosa that the virus has "damaged" and this process might still produce phlgema and cough might go on.
Sometimes pneumonia can make the cough go long and cause phlegma and fever is not always present, especially in what we call "walking pneumonia". Even if you were going through a pneumonia the antibiotic you have used "Zpack" which is Azithromycin covers the causes of pneumonia in Adults and should be sufficient.
A common cause of long-lasting cough is allergy or rhinosinusitis- in this case your nose might still be stuffed and the cough can be productive and might last for weeks to months. You can try Tab Cetirizine 10 mg at night for this for some days and see if it releases the symptoms. If it does release the symptoms than you might need to go on Cetirizine therapy for some weeks every night or you can go to your doctor and ask for nasal steroid spray to help with symptoms of nasal allergy.
Try to drink plenty and especially honey tea can help soothe the throat. Soothing Lozenges might be good for the cough also.
Guaifenesin cough syrup is found to be helpful for the cough so you might try it.
To finish, I would say: keep yourself hydrated and rest as much as you can, eat frequent small amounts of food. Take the Guaifenesin syrup to help with the cough and Cetirizine tablet at night(as explained above). Take steam inhalation thrice daily for next 3-4 days, it should provide some relief too.
Nasal lavage with saline solution several times a day is recommended to help your nostrils clear from secretions. If no improvement in 4-5 days or earlier, if any worsening then you will need to see your doctor and probably consider getting a chest X-ray done.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your question
I wish you quick healing
Kind Regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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