Sore Throat Due to Cough, Feeling Cold, Stuffy Nose, Slight Headache, Body Ache, Fatigue - What Should I Do?

Question

When the symptoms first started, I only had a very dry unproductive cough. I had this dry cough for a couple of days and eventually the cough gave me a very painful sore throat. Breathing in cold air hurt my throat. Now my cough is starting to develop phlegm/mucus and my nose is sometimes stuffy and sometimes runny. I feel exhausted all day and I've been starting to develop a slight headache as well. My forehead feels a little warm although I can't really tell if this is a fever but my hands and other parts of my body are cold. I'm a male, 21 years old, about 155lbs.

I have seasonal allergies and with these I usually experience some of the same symptoms (dry unproductive cough especially at night, nasal/sinus congestion) but never to the intensity that I have now. I have been diagnosed with acute bronchitis (2 years ago) and have partial asthma related symptoms (but don't need an inhaler). I occasionally smoke cigarettes (maybe 3-5 every 2 days) and began to notice this dry cough after smoking more cigarettes than I usually do (a whole pack in 2 days). 

I have taken NyQuil, Ibuprofen, Amoxicilin (for my sore throat), and I just got some codine/promethazine which I will try later on tonight before I go to bed. I take multivitamins whenever I can remember..usually every other day and I take fish oil and Vitamin C gummies as well. 

My cough is really annoying because it keeps me up at night. If anything I take the NyQuil because it helps me to fall asleep while supposedly helping my symptoms however I never usually see any difference after taking NyQuil. It's been murder to my throat too. 

Please help me I'll take any home remedies and any advice on medications..I need to get healthy real soon! It's summer!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

First and foremost I would point out that the smoking definitely isn't helping, but I am sure you know that. Your issue could simply be postnasal drip from the allergies, and the cold or bug you might have. Postnasal drip occurs when phlegm or mucus is dripping down the throat and causing irritation and inflammation. It could also be something more serious, so go see your doctor if it lasts more than a few days.   

Try some of these remedies, I also put a link in the source to a website that has more weird home remedies, and a forum where you could ask. 

1) Breath in steam : Boil some water, cover your head with a towel, and breath it in. This provides moisture to the dry and sensitive tissues that line your nasal and throat passage ways. Be careful not to burn yourself. A humidifier works well too. 

2) Gargle a mixture of salt water. This has been proven to relieve throat discomfort, and reduce irritation.  Take 1 teaspoon of salt and stir it into a glass of hot/warm water. Once it cools, swish it around for 30-45 seconds, gargle, and spit it out. Do this a couple times a day, this eases my sore throat when I get one. 

3)  Tea:  Have some tea handy? Tea can be very soothing on a sore throat. You can always make a simple tea by mixing lemon juice or honey into a cup of hot water. 

4) Sleep. The more sleep the better, give your body some time to heal. 

5)  Avoid rough foods and soda. 

With most sore throats you just have to wait it out, and work on relieving the pain that is being caused, until your body heals itself.  

Good luck!

Elise · Answer

1

Trisha · Answer

You need a cool mist humidifier to help with the cough, soar throat and allergy symptoms.
You can find one for $20 at CVS or Wallgreens

Your better off using Robitussin DM or cough suppressant. Decongestants do not work for dry cough. 

Sleep as much as possible. I know it hard when you are uncomfortable but if you can you will recover so much faster.

Anonymous · Answer

a cold ... but it sounds like it might turn into a sinus infection ... my sister just went to the doctor for this yesterday

Anonymous · Answer

Visiting a chiropractor will surely help.

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Sore Throat Due to Cough, Feeling Cold, Stuffy Nose, Slight Headache, Body Ache, Fatigue - What Should I Do?

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