Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
132 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Should I Do If Persistent Chest Cough With Green Or Bloody Phlegm And Asthma Isn’t Improving Despite Taking Clarithromycin?

Hi, Ive had an ongoing chesty cough for around 3 months. I have asthma and work as a carpenter and have an active lifestyle. I went to urgent care as my cough got worse and am bringing up green phlegm sometimes with blood, am wheezy and have thrown up due to coughing fits. My chest is tight and nothing will relieve the cough meaning im not sleeping well either. The doctor prescribed me 7 days of Clarithromycin as im allergic to pencillin. Ive been on it for 3 days now and an seeing no sign of improvement in my health or my cough and so am unsure of what my next steps should. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
posted on Sun, 2 Mar 2025
Twitter Tue, 16 Sep 2025 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 30 Sep 2025 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Because of your past history of asthma, blood in phlegm, and no improvement on taking antibiotics, you are advised to get re-evaluated. Get clinically examined by a GP, and get required tests like a chest X-ray or CT, a sputum culture, blood tests, etc., done. This will help to detect or rule out pneumonia, chronic infection, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, etc., and help the treating doctor to prescribe the specific antibiotic that will work.

Do not neglect yourself and get tested, as 3 months of such symptoms may be indicative of exposure to wood dust and increased risk of chronic lung irritation or fungal/bacterial infections.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Should I Do If Persistent Chest Cough With Green Or Bloody Phlegm And Asthma Isn’t Improving Despite Taking Clarithromycin?

Hello, Because of your past history of asthma, blood in phlegm, and no improvement on taking antibiotics, you are advised to get re-evaluated. Get clinically examined by a GP, and get required tests like a chest X-ray or CT, a sputum culture, blood tests, etc., done. This will help to detect or rule out pneumonia, chronic infection, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, etc., and help the treating doctor to prescribe the specific antibiotic that will work. Do not neglect yourself and get tested, as 3 months of such symptoms may be indicative of exposure to wood dust and increased risk of chronic lung irritation or fungal/bacterial infections. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician