Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough While Having Laryngitis

Posted on Wed, 6 Jan 2016

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

Wed, 6 Jan 2016 Answered on

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had laryngitis and i have hadvit niw for five days. Im cough is really bad as well and my face and head are killing me. I saw my doctor yesterday

I saw my doctor yesterday and what he prescribed isnt working. I still feel bad 24 hours after being on an antibiotic. Mucinex isnt working or this gargle meds he prescribed. I still have a fever too. Im so congested and having a hard time and not sleeping well at all. Help!!

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Some thoughts:

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Well that sounds perfectly miserable. There are 2 possibilities to what is going on:

The first is that the cause of your symptoms are a virus, in which case no antibiotic will help. The only things you can do are to treat it symptomatically, such as with the Mucinex and gargle and time.

The second possibility is that it started as a virus and now has some secondary bacterial infection (which is the reason your doctor is trying an antibiotic). The bacteria may be resistant to the antibiotic (there is increasing resistance to antibiotics due to over use), or it may be helping but not quick enough.

So what to do? If you feel you are getting sicker, consider calling your doctor. Otherwise you may need to wait it out.

For the sinus pressure and nasal congestion, I'd add Flonase nasal spray. You can get this without prescription at any drug store. It will decrease the mucus membrane inflammation in the sinuses. It takes a couple of days to start working.

I'd also recommend a decongestant such as pseudo ephedrine or phenylephrine. Or try XXXXXXX Seltzer Plus Cold Formula (contains aspirin for pain and fever, an antihistamine and nasal decongestant); or NyQuil Severe Cold and Flu (contains acetaminophen, a cough suppressant, antihistamine, and decongestant but slightly less of the decongestant than XXXXXXX Seltzer Plus).

If you find you are getting worse instead of better, then do call your doctor to reassess.

I am sorry you are feeling so poorly and I hope this helps a bit.

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