I have bad cough and chest pain from a month. What could it be?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 23-year-old female. I have had a really bad cough and chest pains for about a month, also I have had diarrhea. I have been coughing up green and yellow phlegm. However I went to A and E just gone was give 500 mg of Amoxicillin. But since I started taking them I do not feel any better. I only have one day left on them. I have lost weight over this month and do not have any appetite.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

From what you have mentioned, most probably you have a chest infection. A chest X-ray is required. Culture and sensitivity test of the phlegm is required to guide our antibiotic therapy.

The diarrhea is most probably due to Amoxicillin (antibiotic).

Do you have any problems in breathing?

Do you have a high-sustained fever?

I suggest you to follow the instructions mentioned below,

Stop taking Amoxicillin.
Start Metronidazole (antibiotic and antiprotozoal) 500 mg tablet every 12 hours for five days for diarrhea.
Get a chest X-ray done.
Underego culture and sensitivity test of the morning phlegm.
Take Ambroxol (Ambroxol Hydrochloride) syrup three times per day for the cough.
Take Azithromycin (antibiotic) 500 mg capsule once per day two hours before lunch for five days till the result of the sensitivity test arrives.

Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and start taking the medicines with their consent.