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What Causes Severe Productive Cough, Chest Congestion, Running Nose And Fever?

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Posted on Thu, 9 Jun 2016
Question: I have a deep cough that seems to be getting worse. Occasionally I cough up a little bit of yellow flem but not as much as I would like to. The cough began as mild on Monday night, and I could feel congestion in the chest. Each day it has got worse. The clinic diagnosed me with acute bronchitis yesterday and gave me a z pack and a generic form of Metrol(?). I have taken both for 2 days but the cough is a lot worse and deeper now. Nose is also runs sometimes. Low fever off and on, 98.9 tonight, 99.1 the other night. I am 61 and a non-smoker, Wife is afraid I may be coming down with pneumonia?
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Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, possibility of pneumonia is more.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
By your history and description, possibility of either bronchitis or lung infection (pneumonia) is more.
In bronchitis, inhaled bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the mainstay of treatment. Since you are not taking inhaled treatment, you are not improving.
Pneumonia is also a possibility because in old age lung infection is common.
So in my opinion you should definitely consult pulmonologist and get done
1. Clinical examination of respiratory system
2. Chest x ray to rule out pneumonia
3. PFT (pulmonary function test) for the diagnosis of bronchitis. It will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only.
You may need additional antibiotic, inhaled bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Drkaushal85

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Practicing since :2008

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What Causes Severe Productive Cough, Chest Congestion, Running Nose And Fever?

Brief Answer: Yes, possibility of pneumonia is more. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. By your history and description, possibility of either bronchitis or lung infection (pneumonia) is more. In bronchitis, inhaled bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the mainstay of treatment. Since you are not taking inhaled treatment, you are not improving. Pneumonia is also a possibility because in old age lung infection is common. So in my opinion you should definitely consult pulmonologist and get done 1. Clinical examination of respiratory system 2. Chest x ray to rule out pneumonia 3. PFT (pulmonary function test) for the diagnosis of bronchitis. It will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only. You may need additional antibiotic, inhaled bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.