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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Stopped Cigarettes After Cold, Congestion. Coughing Mucus With Brown Spots, Sticky Sputum. Respiratory Infection?

I ve smoked for 25 years. About a month ago I got a bad cold with muscle aches, congestion, etc. I took that opportunity to drop the cigs. Since then I ve been using the patch. After a few days my congestion dissipated, but I started to cough up a lot of phlegm/ mucus with brown spots. The sputum was very sticky and it was very frequent for a couple weeks. Now, almost a month later (and still not smoking ) it seems to have largely subsided but 1-2 times a day I will still cough up largely clear phlegm, sticky with brown flecks. What are your thoughts? Repiratory infection? Process of clearing out my lungs after smoking? Worse....? :/
posted on Mon, 10 Dec 2012
Twitter Sun, 16 Dec 2012 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 17 Dec 2012 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hi!
Congrats for stopping smoking, though its quite early to wish you.
The problem that you have stated could be mostly due to the infection in your lungs. The smoking for 25 years might have seriously damaged your respiratory immune system making you prone for infection. May be a course of antibiotics with good expectorant and steam inhalation could do good to you. If you find time, do X-ray your lungs once.
Thanks .
Hope i am able to solve your queries.
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Stopped Cigarettes After Cold, Congestion. Coughing Mucus With Brown Spots, Sticky Sputum. Respiratory Infection?

Hi! Congrats for stopping smoking, though its quite early to wish you. The problem that you have stated could be mostly due to the infection in your lungs. The smoking for 25 years might have seriously damaged your respiratory immune system making you prone for infection. May be a course of antibiotics with good expectorant and steam inhalation could do good to you. If you find time, do X-ray your lungs once. Thanks . Hope i am able to solve your queries.