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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Dry Cough

Posted on Wed, 19 Aug 2015

Question: I've had a cough for 7 days. I went to Urgent Care this past Tuesday after getting back into town from vacation. They listened and said they didn't hear anything and a chest x-ray was clear. The doctor prescribed over the counter Robitussin DM. I did start taking it but the cough comes back. I haven't taken any since yesterday morning just because I don't think it's really helping. My cough is still there. It's usually worse in the morning but also gets worse after I eat something. Sometimes it's kind of a dry cough and other times it's not. I feel like I have a lot of saliva in my mouth. Sometimes when I cough, I can hear a wheezing type of sound in my chest. My cough actually sounds like I'm really sick, but other than a cough I'm fine. I haven't been running a fever though I had a slight one when I went to Urgent Care.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Needs proper treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Dr. Hanif warmly Welcomes you!

Thanks for consulting at my virtual clinic. I have carefully worked through your case, and can realize your health worries. Being your physician, I will take care all of your medical concerns.

This is a respiratory tract infection and need proper treatment. If I was your treating physician I would have prescribed you with Azithromycin class of antibiotics, Plus Prednisolone, Plus Ebastine, Plus an over the counter cough suppressant syrup, and off course a follow up.

You had started with a viral infection and went to ER. They found nothing but it persisted and it now needs treatment as a prophylactic secondary bacterial infection.

Please change your toothbrush. Take proper rest. Avoid extremes of weather temperature. Avoid dust and pollens outside and avoid pets inside the home. Gargles with Listerine mouthwash will help assist you for better recovery. Nasal douches with saline warm water is best remedy.

Have a wonderful time ahead. Hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any further clinical concerns. I will be happy to get back to you shortly. If satisfied here, please give a five star rating and don't forget to close the discussion.

Regards!
DR. XXXXXXX HANIF
USA

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

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Hanif (1 hour later)

Thank you for all of your information. Should I go back to Urgent Care so I can get antibiotics? or should the over the counter recommendations you made be sufficient? When is too long to have a cough?

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Hanif (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You need prescription antibiotics too

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up and I am happy I was of some help for you.

You need antibiotics and for that a prescription is needed. Its upto you, where do you get it from. ER or the primary care physician.

Only OTC medicines may not be sufficient. And yes, thats why you have too long a cough spell. You need proper care as mentioned before.

Have a wonderful time ahead. Hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any further clinical concerns. I will be happy to get back to you shortly. If satisfied here, please give a five star rating and don't forget to close the discussion.

Regards!
DR. XXXXXXX HANIF
USA

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

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