Chesty Cold

[mats01_99]

Hi. Is it right that if you have green phlegm coming off your chest that you have an infection? I seem to be getting a ridiculous amount of colds these days and they always move onto my chest causing a bad cough and to cough up lots of horrible green phlegm. I haven't been to the doctors as I'm pretty sure they'll tell me I just have a cold but I'm getting a little fed up with it now. It's quite unpleasant and makes me feel very rough. I've only just got over a cough and cold from over Christmas and I can feel a new one starting. Is there anything I should be worried about?

[murraymints]

get to GP..you many need antibiotics..

[Sqad]

^^^ I agree

A chest X-Ray may well be indicated.

Do you smoke?

[mats01_99]

I do not smoke squad and never have done, although I was subjected to 20 years of heavy passive smoking by my parents. I'm now 41.

[Sqad]

Thanks.
Well it sounds no big deal but my reply at 08.20 stands.

[jourdain2]

Sqad may not agree, but my rule of thumb is:-

clear - live with it
yellow -notice
thick yellow -take available cough mixtures
greeny-yellow - watch out and take temperature
If you are hunched up, coughing so you can't contain your wee - see the doc. FAST.
Is that about right sqad? It's what I work on.

[mats01_99]

Hi, once again the first quarter of the year has seen me suffer one cold after another and again it’s in my chest with a very deep cough that’s driving my wife nuts! A lot of dark green phlegm coming up but also now, especially in the morning the first heavy cough up of phlegm (sorry!) has looked dark red and maybe blood. Is there ever a time when coughing up a small amount of blood like this is nothing to worry about? Again I feel if I go to the GP I’ll just be told I have a heavy cold. I’m only reluctant to go as I live in Ireland and going to the GP will set me back about €60!