Symptoms of a Bacterial Chesty Cough
A chesty cough is a common symptom of a bacterial infection. Symptoms may include a thick, mucus-like discharge from your nose and phlegm from your chest. You may also experience a fever, chills, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
Diagnosis of a Bacterial Chesty Cough
The best way to determine if your chesty cough is caused by a bacterial infection is to visit your doctor. Your doctor can take a sample from your throat or lungs and test it for bacteria. If the sample tests positive for a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat it.
Treatment of a Bacterial Chesty Cough
When treating a bacterial chesty cough, it is important to take the full course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking the antibiotics early, even if you start to feel better. This will help ensure that the infection is completely eradicated. In addition to antibiotics, it is important to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help reduce any fever or discomfort.