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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Cold Followed By Chest Congestion And Breathing Difficulty?

Hello. I started feeling a cold coming on Tuesday at 3:00 pm. Within 4 hours I was down...as in bed, can t move. Now its in my chest (yes, a former smoker) and having a hard time breathing and it hurts to cough. Should I go to the ER or let it run its course?
Fri, 4 Nov 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Based on your description, it appears that you could have contacted lower respiratory tract infection. Since you admit that you were smoker before, you could be experiencing difficulty in breathing because of decreased vital capacity of the lungs.
Kindly get chest X-ray done at the earliest. Depending on the nature of infection the report suggest, you need to be treated.
You could require the following medications as part of the treatment:
1. A course of oral antibiotics.
2. Mucolytic agent with bronchodilator.
3. Decongestant and anti-allergic agent.
Kindly consult Physician with the X-ray report for clinical evaluation and appropriate management.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best and wish you speedy recovery.
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What Causes Cold Followed By Chest Congestion And Breathing Difficulty?

Hi, Thanks for posting in HCM. I understand your concern. Based on your description, it appears that you could have contacted lower respiratory tract infection. Since you admit that you were smoker before, you could be experiencing difficulty in breathing because of decreased vital capacity of the lungs. Kindly get chest X-ray done at the earliest. Depending on the nature of infection the report suggest, you need to be treated. You could require the following medications as part of the treatment: 1. A course of oral antibiotics. 2. Mucolytic agent with bronchodilator. 3. Decongestant and anti-allergic agent. Kindly consult Physician with the X-ray report for clinical evaluation and appropriate management. Hope the information provided would be helpful. All the best and wish you speedy recovery.