Cough Worry

Sorry to hear about your chest infection magsmay. I too am asthmatic and take daily inhalers. I am prone to getting chest infections which then trigger the worsening of the asthma. I had to have steroids the last time it happened, which thankfully, did work like magic.

Please do go back to your GP if you do not improve quickly. The antibiotic should ease the chest within 48 hours and if your breathlessness gets worse you should seek help immediately. That's what I was told anyway.

Did the Doctor mention Pneumonia ?

As you weren't coughing up the 'rusty-coloured' sputum before you saw your GP, but are now, do you think it may be a good thing to go back to see him quite soon, magsmay?

I agree with Marelli you need to see your GP pdq if the rusty coloured sputum appeared after you saw your GP?.

Could be worth taking a sample with you magsmay so that you get the correct antibiotic

Go and see your GP first thing on Monday. You don't mess with asthma.

I have asthma too magsmay and it's been quite bad in the last few weeks. There is a lot of pollen and dust in the air at the moment which might be making things worse but I agree with the others. Go back to your GP, it's not worth taking any chances. You might need stronger medication. Hope you feel better soon.

Sorry for all those who have asthma, it sounds quite a frightening thing. I have had a chesty cough for the last 10 days or so, made worse I think by the high pollen count and by building works we are having done.Cough medicine is not doing anything and sometimes seem hard to breathe, eat etc. cough almost all the time, so think I had better visit the GP this week to have lungs checked out.Never had this before, certainly for not so long anyway.

Sorry, forgot to add, yes magsmay you should see your doctor this week.

I've had a chesty cough for a month now. Last time I saw GP for the same he said 'I tend to not treat a cough until the patient has had it over three weeks' !!! So I guess I'm safe to make an appointment now.

I hope you see your GP today magsmay and are better soon. You too roses

Thanks nina hope you feel better soon too. looks like this chesty cough thing may be doing the rounds.No fun though, is it?

magsmay. Hopefully the antiobiotics will clear up the infection but, if not, you will need to go back to your GP.

Hope you soon feel much better.

It is one thing leaving a cough that is unproductive but a one that produces coloured sputum should be seen by a Doctor. Green sputum shows bacterial infection could be present, red is obvious and should be looked into promptly and rusty can denote pneumonia.

Thanks for the info harrigran didn't know that [and worth knowing.]

The doctor came out to see DH about his cough last week and said that green sputum is viral and yellow is bacterial. His was yellow so he's on antibiotics.

Thanks Deedaa.Hope your DH improves.

Please see GP again, so important.

Many thanks folks for your input re my cough worry. I have been seen by two emergency docs and have been prescribed antbiotics and had a chest Xray today. One of the emegency docs is of the old school and is a lot more experienced than the other who is a trainee, the older guy immediately had me puffing on the reliever (blue one) 10 puffs for approx. 4 or 5 times daily, it worked and allowed me to breathe which was a huge relief. I only needed to use this increased dosage for a couple of days and fingers crossed I think I am winning. This massive increase was a surprise because I had only ever been told to use the 4 times daily with a few inhalations.

Asthma nurse is on holiday but as soon as she returns I have got an appointment with her as clearly I have condition has moved up a notch or two.

Many thanks again for good sound advice.