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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Dry Cough And Pain In The Throat Be Treated?

I was diagnosed by a doctor with the flu and am taking family for 24 hrs. Before it was a dry cough and painful in my fhroat, now the pain at coughing is very intense in my throat and now chest. I can t speak and I pray I don t have to cough. Is it possible I have a bacterial infection as well causing bronchitis that would require antibiotucs? Or do I need to give tamiflu more time?
Thu, 15 Feb 2018
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hi

Greetings from HealthcareMagic!

I can understand your painful situation as sometimes simple dry cough disturbs all our routine life. As your complaints started only with dry cough and throat pain, your doctor was absolutely correct in diagnosing it as flu. Coming to medication, there are no specific medicines for viral infections. Viral infections have to be subsided by themselves by our body immunity (lymphocytes). That is why there is proverb that viral infections(flu) will get normal in 7 days without medicine and 1 week with medicine. But taking antiviral medicine is the only option in case of flu, that is why your doctor would have prescribed. During the time of viral infections, our body immunity may get down and in such condition we may get bacterial infections (bronchitis). But main symptom in case of bacterial infection is fever. So check for any symptom of fever to know whether there is any bacterial infection.
In my opinion, it is since 24 hours you got infection and no fever, so it may not be bacterial. Take rest for more time and plenty of water. Your symptoms will subside soon.

Take Care!


Regards
Dr. VAMSI KRISHNA CHITTIMOJU,
Pathologist and Microbiologist
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How Can Dry Cough And Pain In The Throat Be Treated?

Hi Greetings from HealthcareMagic! I can understand your painful situation as sometimes simple dry cough disturbs all our routine life. As your complaints started only with dry cough and throat pain, your doctor was absolutely correct in diagnosing it as flu. Coming to medication, there are no specific medicines for viral infections. Viral infections have to be subsided by themselves by our body immunity (lymphocytes). That is why there is proverb that viral infections(flu) will get normal in 7 days without medicine and 1 week with medicine. But taking antiviral medicine is the only option in case of flu, that is why your doctor would have prescribed. During the time of viral infections, our body immunity may get down and in such condition we may get bacterial infections (bronchitis). But main symptom in case of bacterial infection is fever. So check for any symptom of fever to know whether there is any bacterial infection. In my opinion, it is since 24 hours you got infection and no fever, so it may not be bacterial. Take rest for more time and plenty of water. Your symptoms will subside soon. Take Care! Regards Dr. VAMSI KRISHNA CHITTIMOJU, Pathologist and Microbiologist