Suggest Treatment For Productive Cough And Sinus Infection

Posted on Mon, 17 Oct 2016

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

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 Answered on

Tue, 8 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : About 4 weeks ago I went to the doctor for a sinus infection which seemed to cause me to have a very wet productive cough. She prescribed a zpak which I took but the cough continued and week 3 my head became very stuffy and i was constantly sniffling. Now I'm in week 4 and my ear is clogged. I am feeling better but I am still coughing (though alot less). It just seems like the cold that won't go away. Should I be concerned?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
consider adding a decongestant and anti histamine combination

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

Clogging or fulling of the ear may be due to eustachian tube dysfunction. The eustachian tube is a tube present in within the ear, it has different functions but one of these involves regularizing the pressure in the middle ear.

Abnormal function/dysfunction of the eustachian tube can cause a blocked up feeling in the ear.
This dysfunction can occur with sinus infections or any infections involving the upper respiratory tract.

The coughing may be either : (1) post nasal drip- this is the most common cause of chronic cough
(2) post viral cough- this is a cough that can persist after the other symptoms of cough/cold have passed. Can last up to 6- 8 weeks from initial symptoms.

Since you are already using a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan in the mucinex dm) and a mucolytic (breaks up mucus, also present in the mucinex dm--- guaifenesin), you may want to consider adding antihistamine and decongestant combination.

This should help with the cough and may also help with the eustachian tube though in most cases, it can take sometimes up to 2 to 3 weeks.

This would be over the counter. Eg include- zyrtec d, benadryl d, allegra d, claritine d.
Adding topical nose drop otrivine for a few days ( 3 to 5) , even if nose is not blocked.

If there is no improvement, then you may need to consider seeing an ENT specialist for assessment.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (14 minutes later)

Thanks so much for the quick reply Dr!! One final question is should I continue taking the Mucinex DM twice a day until all symptoms are gone?

Thanks again for the help!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
can be continued

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Sorry about the delayed reply

Yes, you can continue this as well

Please feel free to ask anything else

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar