Why I Have A Persistent Cough?

Posted on Thu, 9 Jan 2025

Question: I have a persistent cough which began in early December. It was a dry scratchy cough that would come at night and worsen when I laid down. After a few days, I began coughing up phlegm in the mornings (greenish/yellow). I was also fatigued. I saw an online doctor who prescribed me Amoxicillin tri hydrate 875mg with clavulanic acid 125mg. It was a five day course with a repeat script if needed. These antibiotics cleared up the cough and I felt much better. 9 days after finishing the antibiotics, the cough and symptoms returned and so I began the 2nd course of antibitotic. This again, cleared the cough and relived the symptoms, then again 9 days after finishing the antibiotics, the dry scratchy cough has returned at night along with a wet productive morning cough.

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
More investigations required

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
As the cough persists for around two weeks, we have to think of other causes including tuberculosis.
I suggest you to get a sputum culture, blood routine and a chest X-ray.
As of now you can add antihistamine like cetrezine or lvocetrezine as the cause may be allergic in origin.
Kindly review with the reports.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar