I’ve got some kind of mildly nasty viral infection. It’s been in me for about a week (symptoms wise) and it’s showed signs of clearing up. Then last night I coughed so hard I vomited. Could not get to sleep until 4 AM. Today I’m worn out and sore, and wishing this thing would get the hell out of my body. My main symptoms have been persistant coughing with light green or yellow mucus, a little bit of muscle soreness and a lot of fatigue. I’m wondering if there is a way to speed up my healing process, as next week is my senior graduation week and I don’t wanna be coughing up a lung while trying to have a good time. Please keep in mind that I don’t believe in homeopathic medicine beyond the tried and true methods of home remedy i.e. some tea to relieve throat soreness, etc… I’m also adverse to taking a lot of OTC medicines that stop symptoms but slow down the healing process. I’m mainly looking for something I can buy OTC to help me cough up phlegm more efficiently. Thanks for the help in advance, sorry for the nastiness factor.
Look for an OTC cough syrup that has “guaifenesin” in it. It’s an “expectorant”, which means that it loosens phlegm so you can cough it up.
Robitussin, etc.
I hate to tell you this, but the viral infection could have lead to some bacterial infection in your lungs…why you felt better, and then worse.
Sputum should not be discoloured from a viral infection, go to your GP and get some antibiotics.
Your friendly local pharmacist will tell you the same thing, should you try to buy an expectorant.
A short course (7 days) of something like erithromycin or penicillen will clear it right up, you’ll feel much better after a day or so.
Tea has recently been shown to bolster the immune system, so keep chugging that (but drink lots and lots of fluids, as it is a diuretic), and also try some zinc lozenges - the science behind them is somewhat solid (more so that vitamin C which doesn’t do squat) and it couldn’t hurt.
I had forgotten about those zinc cough drops, a friend told me he used them and they worked but it’s been years. I’m a habitual water drinker, so I’m on top of the fluids thing. I’ve also started drinking some coffee in the morning to warm up my throat. Thanks again for the tips.
Actually, colored phlegm is often produced with viral infections. I have allergies and asthma and often have sinus infections and/or bronchitis. They are usually viral and I always have colored discharges with them.
Lorinada, I was going on the history, that he was getting better, and that then there was discoloured sputum, paroxymal coughing and chest pain.
A check-up from a doc will help to rule out pleurisy etc.
Pharmacists here refuse to sell expectorants for a productive cough with purulent sputum, and will strongly suggest you see your doctor for a script.