Is Cough Along With Green Mucus Contagious?

Posted on Sun, 29 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 29 Jan 2017 Answered on

Mon, 20 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Is a cough which includes bringing up green mucus contagious? Patient is 86 and a diabetic. What over the counter remedies could she take. Has had it about a week.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Green sputum infection is contagious via air droplet spread

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. It is not contagious via the sputum, but it can spread through air droplets, so the conclusive answer would be a yes.

The treatment for a respiratory tract infection with green colour sputum would most probably be the use of antibiotics, and antibiotics are not available over-the-counter, so it would be best to visit a doctor and get a prescription. But if at all you can manage to get your hands on antibiotics, then please let me know and I shall share the name of the antibiotic and the dosage so you can help the patient.

I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I'm always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

What antibiotic and dosage please.

Thank you Doctor!

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Azithromycin 250 mg twice daily for 7 days

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

You could try tablet azithromycin 250 mg to be taken twice daily (after breakfast and dinner for 5-7 days.

I hope this helps ma'am. You know you can always write to me for any help, it would be my pleasure to help you.

Best wishes.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T