Suggest Treatment For Dry Cough And Itching In Throat

Posted on Tue, 3 Mar 2015

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

Tue, 3 Mar 2015 Answered on

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : 10 days ago i was sitting next to a person thst was snizzing constsntly. About 48 hours latet i started getting itchy throat and about 8 hours later I was having dry cough. I didnt have any runny nose or nasal congestion. I was couging the while day and at night i took nyquil. Day 7 my coug was getting better during day time but still the same at night. Day 10 I took Tussin expectorant Guaifenesin. I felt better, but I started to see orange and sometime reddish mucus. My couging isnt as constant as before but sometimes I have white mucus and sometimes its oragne or reddish. Today is day 10

I didnt have fever, I dont feel any pain on my chest.
What could be the cause?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Signs of resolving infection...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

The yellowish phlegm you have noticed could be either from the sinuses or the lungs. The phlegm is yellow in color because, the infection is in the resolving phase. If you had taken the antibiotics in the initial stages, the infection would have been completely resolved by now.

Normally, when we try to clear the throat violently, the engorged tiny blood vessels in the throat breaks off and stains the saliva or the phlegm. This is what is noticed in one of the image mailed by you.

Do not worry! This is not something dangerous. Drink plenty of warm water and do steam inhalation, these thick secretions will clear off soon.

Finally, avoid violent clearing of throat.

Hope I have answered your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (45 minutes later)

Thanks for your answer, i was so worried. Yed was couging voilently to clear up my throat but now my cough isnt that frequent or violent. Do you recommend antibiotics ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It would be wiser to take antibiotics...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back. I have gone through the clinical pictures too.

Yes, I would recommend you to take broad spectrum antibiotics. Antibiotics will help in speedy recovery.

Remember! You should also drink plenty of warm water and do steam inhalation, steam vapors lyses the tenacious secretions and reduces the cough and congestion.

Hope this clarifies your doubts.

Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta