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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough Along With Yellowish Phlegm In The Throat
Posted on
Wed, 14 Mar 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 14 Mar 2018
Answered on
Sat, 2 Mar 2019
Last reviewed on
Question : I've had a cough and 1 degree temp for about a week. Cough up is clear as opposed to yellow/grey. Wife is suffering with similar condition with no temp however. We are supposed to go on a trip in a week and I'm trying to decide whether to go to doc or not at this point.
Brief Answer:
Information.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX,
Most likely this is a viral infection so the doctor would not be able to help much. But that said, this would be reasons to go in to see the doctor before your trip:
1. Any shortness of breath.
2. History of chronic illnesses that include diabetes, asthma, COPD, other chronic respiratory illnesses, cancer, immune dysfunctions (autoimmune disorders, HIV).
3. Worsening of symptoms (higher fever, discolored sputum throughout the day).
4. The place you are traveling to does not have an urgent care clinic or is out of the country. I mention this because your own doctor may give you a prescription for an antibiotic to fill at home and take with if you are going out of the country. Then, if your symptoms worsen (secondary bacterial infection), you will have the antibiotic with you.
I hope this information helps you make the decision.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
Information.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX,
Most likely this is a viral infection so the doctor would not be able to help much. But that said, this would be reasons to go in to see the doctor before your trip:
1. Any shortness of breath.
2. History of chronic illnesses that include diabetes, asthma, COPD, other chronic respiratory illnesses, cancer, immune dysfunctions (autoimmune disorders, HIV).
3. Worsening of symptoms (higher fever, discolored sputum throughout the day).
4. The place you are traveling to does not have an urgent care clinic or is out of the country. I mention this because your own doctor may give you a prescription for an antibiotic to fill at home and take with if you are going out of the country. Then, if your symptoms worsen (secondary bacterial infection), you will have the antibiotic with you.
I hope this information helps you make the decision.
Regards,
Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
