Are antibiotics necessary for a seasonal allergic cough?

Question

Hello doctor,

For the past three years, I have been suffering from an allergic cough that occurs only during September and October, lasting for one to two months. This time, my primary care physician administered a Dexamethasone shot, and my cough improved within a few hours. Should I purchase the prescribed antibiotic Azithromycin and Albuterol sulfate, or should I wait and see if the cough persists?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand that you are a 33-year-old male experiencing a cough, particularly during September and October each year. This pattern suggests you may have allergic bronchitis, which is a seasonal allergic cough that exacerbates during specific months. During such exacerbations, it is advisable to use a steroid, a bronchodilator, and, if necessary, an antibiotic. In your case, Dexamethasone is the steroid, Albuterol is the bronchodilator, and Azithromycin is the antibiotic. Antibiotics should be prescribed only if there is an infection, indicated by symptoms such as yellow or green sputum production, fever, and chest congestion.

The bronchodilator in the form of an aerosol spray helps relieve bronchospasm and inflammation. I suggest you continue using the aerosol spray as prescribed by your doctor and monitor your symptoms. If the cough recurs, then consider starting the antibiotic. During an exacerbation of allergic bronchitis, you can use the Albuterol inhaler along with either the combination of Fluticasone and Salmeterol or the Budesonide inhaler. Make sure to follow the specific usage instructions for these inhalers, and consult your physician for guidance.

Thanks for using icliniq, and have a nice day.