Warning Gross Question !

[flump1]

Does coughing up green thick phlegm always need antibiotics or does it sometimes run its course ? Having a heavy head cold with loads of mucus from my nose now it seems to have moved to my chest. Dr or hot toddy ?

[novalis]

If not antbiotics get yourself off to the chemist's tomorrow and see what they suggest.

[soapnumpty]

Until a doctor comes along to answer I think that's a myth about green phlegm needing antibiotics.

[BlackadderV]

From personal experience I would say Dr. A good antibiotic should shift it. I used to be plagued with this. Every cold I had eventually settled on my chest and was only cured by antibiotics. The only reason I do not suffer much these days is because I have to take a low daily dose of antibiotics to compensate for not having a spleen so I am slightly more resistant to such infections. The last time I had such an attack, three years ago, I spent three nights in an armchair as when I lay down I could not breathe. After 48 hours on Cephalexin I was as right as rain. No doubt medical professionals may differ.

[woofgang]

Hot toddy. Most of the colds I get run that course. I stock up on soft tissues and make sure to drink plenty of (non alcoholic) fluid.
Have you got a fever?
Do you feel well in yourself?
Are you seriously fighting for breath?

If you feel truly unwell with it then visit the doc but it sounds like a normal heavy cold to me.

[Sqad]

\\Does coughing up green thick phlegm always need antibiotics or does it sometimes run its course ?\\\

It may and it may not. Usually coloured phlegm doesn't signal the need for antibiotics. However if the patient feels ill, bit of a temp and some chest pain with the cough persisting, then that calls for the implementation of an antibiotic regime.

Hot toddy.

[Buenchico]

It's worth remembering that antibiotics do absolutely NOTHING to combat a VIRAL infection. (They only work against a BACTERIAL one). A doctor might still prescribe antibiotics when you've got a viral infection, in order to protect you against a secondary bacterial infection, but they won't do anything whatsoever to assist with your recovery from the original problem.

Given that most chest infections are probably viral anyway (e.g the common cold or influenza), there might be little point in rushing to get antibiotics.

[woofgang]

I kind of agree Chris except that what can happen is that the accoutrements of a viral infection can make the body more hospitable to bacteria. So a chest or sinuses full of warm moist organic gunk can make a lovely cosy home for a post viral bacterial infection, especially if the person is run down generally or has got a compromised immune system.I get post viral sinus infections. Usually I can manage them alone but not always, then I need antibiotics, not for the original virus infection but to combat the bacterial one which follows.

[BlackadderV]

My point @ 20.04 exactly.

[woofgang]

Indeed Blackadder but in a person who is otherwise healthy, antibiotics are not always needed and its not a good idea to use them if you can manage without; which is why Sqad and I asked about temperature and other symptoms.

[Old_Geezer]

Just to say that I'm surprised to read here of antibiotics being prescribed as a 'just in case' preventative for infections a patient doesn't yet have. No wonder bacteria are rapidly evolving resistance.

[janbee]

I would take a hot toddy anyway phlegm or no phlegm !!

[woofgang]

OG it was only one person who mentioned prophylactic antibiotics and that is because they have no spleen.

[Old_Geezer]

Sqad & Buenchico both suggested they could be prescribed anyway. You seemed to confirm this.

[Sqad]

O_G...if I can help.

There is a little more to the principals and practice of medicine than just the book, Home Doctor and the modern link to a website with a long list of possible causes and diseases most of which inappropriate and unheard of by the reader.

I think your question to Woofgang is why do Gp's give antibiotics to an infection that may well be viral and not bacterial.

The key word is prophylactic......to stop an infection before it starts.

First of all, the patient may be immune deficient as indicated by a drug regime or an underlying disease, asthma or in the case mentioned above, absence of a spleen......clearly an indication for prophylactic antibiotics.

But, one of the commoner reasons is that of the GP knowing his or her patient and understanding that he or she will never accept the advice of the doctor without a prescription for antibiotics and hence to save himself a load of hassle, he prescribes them.

Is that justifiable? Yes in my opinion it is.

Many patients have their own idea of their medical management and will not budge until it is dispensed......see many posts on AB.

Has that helped O_G?

[Old_Geezer]

It is an explanation.
Thanks.