question-icon

I Started Friday With A Sore Throat And Coughing. The

default
Posted on Tue, 7 May 2019
Twitter Tue, 7 May 2019 Answered on
Twitter Last reviewed on
Question : I started Friday with a sore throat and coughing. The sore throat got better but now I'm coughing up brown and yellow very thick gunk that leaves a terrible taste in my mouth.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aaron Branch (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Upper respiratory infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.

The symptoms that you described, with the sore throat and cough, would be typical for a upper respiratory infection, most likely caused by a virus. The sore throat usually is the worst on days 3 and 4 and then gradually resolves. The cough, however, can sometimes last for up to two to three weeks. The fact that you are now coughing up thick sputum may indicate that you have developed a bronchitis. Normally bronchitis does not require treatment with antibiotics, and I would normally recommend that you take an antihistamine decongestant combination to help with the cough, such as Zyrtec-D.

However, signs that you could be developing a bacterial infection, such as a pneumonia, would be difficulty breathing and a fever, which would be a temperature above 100.4 F (38.0 C). If you do develop any of those symptoms, I would recommend that you see a doctor for a chest x-ray, and if pneumonia is confirmed you should be started on antibiotics.

I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about any of that and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Aaron Branch

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 1196 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Pulmonologist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

193 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
I Started Friday With A Sore Throat And Coughing. The

Brief Answer: Upper respiratory infection Detailed Answer: Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. The symptoms that you described, with the sore throat and cough, would be typical for a upper respiratory infection, most likely caused by a virus. The sore throat usually is the worst on days 3 and 4 and then gradually resolves. The cough, however, can sometimes last for up to two to three weeks. The fact that you are now coughing up thick sputum may indicate that you have developed a bronchitis. Normally bronchitis does not require treatment with antibiotics, and I would normally recommend that you take an antihistamine decongestant combination to help with the cough, such as Zyrtec-D. However, signs that you could be developing a bacterial infection, such as a pneumonia, would be difficulty breathing and a fever, which would be a temperature above 100.4 F (38.0 C). If you do develop any of those symptoms, I would recommend that you see a doctor for a chest x-ray, and if pneumonia is confirmed you should be started on antibiotics. I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about any of that and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.