Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough After Getting Flu Shots

Posted on Sun, 30 Oct 2016

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

Sun, 30 Oct 2016 Answered on

Thu, 1 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello. I had my 2016 flu shot 3 weeks ago just before going on a trip. I've come home with a heavy cough that will not go away despite my drinking lots of liquid, running the humidifier at night, gargling with salt water and getting lots of rest. I've been this way for 6 days now. I have not taken any medication since colds just take their course with my home remedy. Not this time, though. I wonder what else I should be doing and when is the time to see a doctor? Please help. Thank you very much.

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
If not getting better after 6 days, then it may be a pneumonia

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.

Influenza vaccine prevents only one virus which is the Influenza virus, while there are around 200 or more viruses with less severe symptoms that circulate around in this time of the year. In general they give around 3-5 days of runny nose and congestion, cough, sore throat and fever. After 5 days you should start feeling better, except the cough which may last 2-3 weeks, depends on how do your lungs react.

So 6 days from the start of these symptoms, your should start feeling a bit more better, especially with no fever and no sore throat.
If you continue having fever, also if you have shortness of breath, lots of fatigue, chest pain...then these are signs that it may be a viral infection complicated with Pneumonia. This would be the time to go to a doctor, have your lungs checked and take a treatment with antibiotics.

Otherwise, it is normal to have cough. Continue with what you have been doing. Take tea with lemon and honey, because honey helps with the cough.

Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please close and rate the answer.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (9 hours later)

Thank you for your helpful reply. However, I now have sharp pains just below my breast (not chest) when I cough. I do not have any fever, just persistent cough that emits mucus. The pain just started to accompany the cough yesterday. What do you recommend, please?

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
Pain is probably muscular

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

The pain is probably from the muscular streching during the cough episodes. So taking an Ibuprofen 400 mg will be helpful to relieve the pain.

If you have shortness of breath, despite the pain, then this is a sign of complication and an indication to consider a visit to the local doctor.

If your cough is bothering you, you can take a medicine that you can take without a prescription like dayquil, which has a combination of medicines for dry cough and cough with sputum.

Hope I have answered your question.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (29 hours later)

Dear Dr. Papaqako,
Many, many thanks for the information you supplied. You have eased my concerns, and I'm now feeling much better.

Keep up the good work!

Gratefully, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Happy to have been of help.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

I'm glad to have been somehow of help.

Please come back to me whenever you have questions or concerns.

Please kindly remember to close and rate the answer.

Regards,

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. Arnab Banerjee