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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Persistent Cough Despite Taking Medication?

I ve been sick for 4 days now. It started with a fever, aches, chills, fatigue. On the third day it turned into a cough with some mucous. Day 4 and the fever, aches, chills, and severe fatigue is gone, but now I have a bad cough. I am taking Mucinex DM and still coughing quite a bit. I feel like it may be loosening the mucous because you can hear it gurgling in my throat after I cough, but nothing is really coming up. Not sure if I had the flu? Or could it be bronchitis?
posted on Sun, 6 Dec 2015
Twitter Mon, 18 Jan 2016 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 19 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi Dear ,

Welcome to HCM.

Understanding your concern. As per your query persistent cough despite taking medication which is due to severe upper respiratory tract infection. You may have probably sore throat, lung infection or bronchitis. Need not to worry. I would suggest you to start with course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Do warm saline gargles with pinch of salt water. Take expectorants. Steam inhalation is very effective for you. I would suggest you to consult ENT specialist without any delay . Doctor may order blood test , throat swab test or virus culture test. You should get an x ray of the chest. Doctor may prescribe antibiotics amoxicillin at least for 10 days along with mucolytic agents . For now do warm saline rinses , take rest. Go for complete blood count and platelet count to rule out any hidden systemic pathology. You should avoid hot, sharp and spicy foods. Avoid giving cold beverages. You should take mast cell stabilizers to prevent from infection.

Hope your concern has been resolved.

Get Well Soon.

Best Wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
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What Causes Persistent Cough Despite Taking Medication?

Hi Dear , Welcome to HCM. Understanding your concern. As per your query persistent cough despite taking medication which is due to severe upper respiratory tract infection. You may have probably sore throat, lung infection or bronchitis. Need not to worry. I would suggest you to start with course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Do warm saline gargles with pinch of salt water. Take expectorants. Steam inhalation is very effective for you. I would suggest you to consult ENT specialist without any delay . Doctor may order blood test , throat swab test or virus culture test. You should get an x ray of the chest. Doctor may prescribe antibiotics amoxicillin at least for 10 days along with mucolytic agents . For now do warm saline rinses , take rest. Go for complete blood count and platelet count to rule out any hidden systemic pathology. You should avoid hot, sharp and spicy foods. Avoid giving cold beverages. You should take mast cell stabilizers to prevent from infection. Hope your concern has been resolved. Get Well Soon. Best Wishes, Dr. Harry Maheshwari