Treatment of severe cough with sputum without fever. Yellow sputum

They say cough is not a disease. This is a manifestation of a particular disease. Hand in hand with a cough in a sick person is phlegm.

In fact, coughing is the body’s defense mechanism against external influences - any obstacles, bacteria, viruses. This could be dust, inflammation in the form of swelling of the throat, spasm or exposure to temperatures.

Often a cough is accompanied by phlegm. It is a companion to many diseases: bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, pneumonia and even cancer.

Phlegm is the release from the respiratory tract of a mixture of saliva and secretions from the nasal sinuses. It must be said that a certain amount of mucus constantly comes out of the bronchi, because it contains protective elements. A person simply does not notice this, but in 24 hours he secretes up to a hundred millimeters of this secretion.

But if the respiratory system is penetrated pathogens, mucus secretion triples and takes on a variety of colors.

  • may be caused by the following diseases:
  • Frontit
  • Bronchitis
  • Pneumonia

Flu When making a diagnosis, the color of the secretion is very important. If sputum is detected yellow color

, the help of a doctor is needed. This is dangerous because pus can give this color.

Attention! If you notice pus or blood in your sputum, go to the hospital immediately. It is necessary to exclude serious problems, including lung abscess Coughing with yellow sputum is a problem for many heavy smokers. However, most often, this is a manifestation of penetration into the bronchi.

bacterial infection

It is difficult to find a child who has never coughed in his life. A wet cough is the production of sputum. And this is good. Because all the child has to do is cough and the phlegm will come out. It is worse if the sputum begins to become thick and viscous.

  • Cough is known to be a defense mechanism. To help a child recover, we must try to alleviate his condition. It is impossible to cure a cough! It is possible to make a coughing child feel better. To do this, you need to follow two rules:
  • Give your child plenty to drink

Provide moist and cool air in the children's room

We hasten to reassure impressionable mothers and fathers. Yellow sputum may indicate simple sinusitis or a cold. In this case, increase the amount of fluid your child takes. Doesn't drink water? Make compote, it's better than nothing.

When yellow sputum is dangerous, other symptoms usually accompany:

  • Severe weakness, lethargy. The child constantly sleeps
  • Body temperature is elevated, drops briefly, then rises again
  • The cough is simply painful, almost non-stop
  • Dyspnea

In this situation, there is a danger of a bacterial infection in the respiratory system and the development of pneumonia or bronchitis. It is necessary to consult a pediatrician.

Attention! Call an ambulance immediately if you notice blood in your child's sputum. There is a possibility of having tuberculosis

When a cough with yellow sputum appears, a person goes to a therapist. The doctor first asks the patient about the onset of the disease, finds out whether there is a fever, how long the cough lasts, what is the amount of sputum and its nature, that is, the color of the fluid released.

After this, a sputum test may be ordered. For this purpose, microscopic or macroscopic examination is used.

In the case of microscopy, the laboratory assistant examines pathological cells and elements: increased eosinophils, neutrophils more than 30, fibers, as well as indicators of the presence of asthma or allergies.

Bacterioscopy allows you to determine the presence of microbes in sputum. If none are identified, then they take an analysis for mucus bacteria. The laboratory technician must conduct the study no later than two hours after receiving the mucus. The doctor knows that a healthy person also has a certain amount of pathogenic microorganisms in the saliva, trachea and bronchi. However, their number should not exceed a certain number.

When tuberculosis is detected, bacterial culture is generally carried out at least three times. Only then can a conclusion be drawn based on the presence or absence of Koch’s bacillus in the body.

You need to prepare for the analysis:

  • Two days before sputum collection, you need to increase your fluid intake. Minimum two liters per day
  • Treat your mouth with Miramistin or Furacilin
  • Sputum should be collected in the morning, before meals.
  • Before getting ready, perform morning hygiene: brush your teeth, rinse your mouth

Now the procedure itself: breathe. Inhale and exhale several times, cough deliberately. Collecting sputum must be done in a sterile jar, such as can be purchased at a pharmacy.

If you cannot cough up the mucus, perform an inhalation procedure with plain water. It is enough to collect only 6 mm of mucus.

It is necessary to take the analysis to the laboratory as early as possible; after two hours it will no longer be informative. However, if this is not possible, then place the well-sealed jar in the refrigerator. There, sputum can be stored for about two days.

The hospital may suggest doing a bronchoscopy. This is a very reliable study

Collection of sputum from children

Sometimes parents encounter difficulties when collecting sputum from a child, especially if he is still a baby.

It is wrong to force a child to cough on purpose. Try to play with your baby, let him be distracted. You can give him some tasty treat.

The presence of yellow sputum in a child, along with additional symptoms, tells the doctor about a bacterial infection. Then a microscopic examination of the mucus is done, and the child is prescribed antibiotic therapy.

Depending on the diagnosis, the patient is prescribed either simply symptomatic therapy or antibiotics are added.

Expectorants are used for treatment:

  • Ambrobene
  • Lazolvan
  • Azts or Vicks-Active
  • Bromhexine Berlin Chemistry

The effect of mucolytic drugs begins quite quickly - after half an hour and lasts for almost 7 hours. These products make it easier for mucus to come out.

To make the sputum more liquid and cough better, Acetylcestin and Fluimucil are prescribed.

An excellent choice in the treatment of cough with yellow sputum would be preparations based on medicinal herbs: Chest Collection, Mukaltin, Altai Collection.

Sometimes expectorants and other drugs are combined. But only the doctor decides this, depending on the diagnosis and condition of the patient.

If a bacterial infection is detected, antibiotics are prescribed: Amoxilav, Summamed, Ampicillin.

In the absence of contraindications, inhalations can be done. This will remove the thickness of sputum and reduce the symptoms of cough. However, it is important to choose the right drugs for inhalation.

Important! Inhalation procedures should not be performed on infants. Use inhalations with caution for people with diseases of the central nervous system

In children, treatment of cough with yellow sputum is identical to that in adults. The only differences are in dosages. Some drugs have age restrictions. For example, ACC, Fluimucil.

Antibiotic therapy in children includes drugs such as Suprax, Flemoxim Solutab 125 g, Amoxilav, etc.

Treatment of cough with yellow sputum using traditional methods

Traditional medicine has many effective remedies for treating cough. Among them are tinctures, lotions, decoctions and rubbing ointments:

  1. Make the following mixture: 200 grams of fresh honey, lemon put through a blender, and 00 grams of milk. Take a tablespoon three times a day. If the honey is fresh, you can take it separately: take a teaspoon into your mouth and suck it like candy.
  2. Sage decoction for cough: 150 gr. add chopped sage to a mug of boiling water. Leave for 4 hours. Add boiled milk - 150 g. You can drink half a glass once a day
  3. The following collection will be very effective: marshmallow, bearberry, plantain and mint - take 100 grams of each herb. each, pour 1 liter of boiling water. Then leave for an hour. Drink a tablespoon several times a day

Onions are considered an excellent remedy for treating coughs with phlegm in folk medicine. You can make lotions from onion juice, soak a small cloth in it and put it on your chest. Leave for half an hour.

You can also take three onions (do not peel them!), add them to a saucepan with a liter of water, cook over low heat for about an hour, then add half a mug granulated sugar. Cool and drink half a glass at least three times a day.

For children

Folk remedies for the treatment of cough with yellow sputum in children should be used with caution, after consulting with a doctor. They are not applicable to newborns and children under 2 years of age due to high risk allergic reactions.

  • Take 15 grams of chopped figs and add boiling water to a mug. Then cook over low heat for about 15 minutes. Strain and give the child a tablespoon three times a day, strictly after eating.
  • Radish juice. 100 grams of juice and 100 grams. combine boiled milk. Sweeten a little with honey. Take 15 ml three times a day after meals
  • Mix onion juice and honey. In equal parts. For example, 100 grams of onion juice and 100 grams of honey. This simple remedy will help treat a severe cough. Take a tablespoon twice a day until symptoms disappear

It is very important to provide clean, cool air in your home. Humidity has great importance! If you cannot achieve the desired humidity and temperature, buy a humidifier. It will serve you well. Under such conditions, the cough will subside in the shortest possible time.

Prevention

Remember that any cough, including yellow sputum, should go away within 30 days. If it continues longer, you need to consult a pulmonologist again.

Conditions for ensuring the health of the respiratory system:

  • Once a year it is obligatory to undergo fluorography
  • Quit smoking
  • Be outdoors often
  • Hardening. Including children
  • Proper nutrition (especially in the autumn-winter period, including vitamins)
  • Sports activities
  • Conditions in the house (frequent ventilation, humidity)

If general state allows, there is no fever or other signs of illness - walking is very useful for coughing. Do not lock yourself at home, follow all the doctor’s recommendations, and the cough will quickly leave you.

Yellow sputum when coughing can appear with a variety of diseases, so you should not ignore such a symptom. Most people don't pay much attention to what color it is and this is a significant oversight. The nature of the sputum discharge is always able to prompt the doctor with a diagnosis and direct all laboratory and clinical studies in the right direction.

A cough is just a symptom that occurs when the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are irritated by anything. It could be sputum or foreign bodies, moving helminths that have entered the mucous membrane.

It follows from this that it is necessary to first determine the disease itself that caused the cough and treat it.

Sputum in the respiratory tract appears during infectious inflammatory processes. The causative agent of the infection can be a virus or a bacterium that has pathogenic properties.

Yellow sputum is characteristic of bacterial infections. Why does she appear? The inflammatory process consists of three stages: alteration, exudation and proliferation.

Proliferation is a stage during which healing of the affected tissue occurs in various ways.

A cough with yellow sputum is a sign of a bacterial inflammatory process, since the bodies of dead leukocytes have entered the exudate. It was they who provided the color of the discharge.

What diseases does it occur with?

If thick yellowness is coughed up, this is possible with the following diseases:

  • Bronchitis;
  • Sinusitis;
  • Pneumonia;
  • Other purulent processes (phlegmon, abscesses, pleurisy);
  • Tuberculosis;

It is important to understand where exactly the sputum comes from: from the lower respiratory tract or from the upper? If from the lower, then the problem is in the lungs or bronchi, and if from the upper, then you have sinusitis or rhinitis, in which mucus, rolling down the walls of the nasopharynx, irritates the receptors, which causes a cough.

You can determine the disease that has affected your respiratory system by clarifying what exactly is happening:

  • without or with cough;
  • without or with fever;
  • the nature of the cough is dry or wet;
  • frequency – morning, evening, night or constantly;
  • the nature of the mucus secreted: foamy, yellow, with or without odor, viscous or liquid.

All these symptoms are important when making a diagnosis; they help the doctor make a primary diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

No temperature

It is precisely this variant of the course of the disease that should cause the greatest concern. These symptoms most often indicate chronic infections respiratory tract or their sluggish purulent inflammation.

In most cases, bronchitis and sinusitis can be suspected. A slight cough with yellow mucus in some cases indicates a gradual accumulation of purulent exudate on the walls of the bronchi.

The laboratory technician carries out all manipulations with sputum within 2 hours after receiving it, since otherwise the results may be biased.

Usually, if you do everything in the morning, by lunchtime or evening you can know exactly which microbe caused the disease and begin treatment with the drug to which the greatest sensitivity has been detected.

Treatment

As we noted above, the treatment of sputum and cough is based on eliminating primary disease, because of which the sputum appeared. At bacterial etiology antibiotics are prescribed during the process:

Expectorants also help eliminate cough as a symptom. Today, many drugs combine both of these effects: they simultaneously reduce the viscosity of mucus and accelerate its elimination.

Expectorant-type drugs can be either reflexive (irritate receptors, thereby causing coughing and expectoration) or resorptive (affect mucus-producing cells, stimulating them to more active “work”).

Reflex type drugs:

  • Medicines based on marshmallow. These include: Alteika syrup, marshmallow root for brewing, mucaltin. These drugs should not be used by people with gastrointestinal ulcers, hypersensitivity to components, suffering diabetes mellitus or glucose intolerance, children under 3 years of age and pregnant women - as directed by a doctor.
  • Thermopsis preparations. Tablets Thermopsol, Kadelak with and without codeine. Also, these medications should not be used by people sensitive to the components, people with ulcers, children and pregnant women without the approval of a doctor.
  • Breast fees. They can be purchased at a pharmacy and brewed. Herbal mixtures often contain licorice, coltsfoot, plantain, sage, anise, pine buds, marshmallow, violet, wild rosemary, chamomile, licorice, and calendula. Choose an acceptable option for yourself at the pharmacy.

If adults have a constant dry or wet cough, this condition indicates damage to the respiratory tract, which is caused by one or another disease.

This symptom is a kind of self-defense of the body and is caused when foreign particles appear in the respiratory organs, for example, this can be green sputum when coughing.

Often with colds, a cough appears with sputum, which is coughed up. Phlegm is a viscous, thick liquid produced by the mucous membrane.

It is based on water with glycoproteins, lipids and immunoglobulins. Depending on the composition, the foamy consistency can have a different color, which ranges from pale yellow to green and brown. A cough with obvious phlegm causes expectoration to clear germs and accumulated toxins from the respiratory tract.

In most cases of illness, a dry cough transforms into a wet cough with sputum, which is expectorated. Most common cause The one that provokes it is smoking.

When smoking, it accumulates in the respiratory tract a large number of mucus, this leads to a strong cough with phlegm.

Smoking also paralyzes the fine hairs that are found in the respiratory tract, which makes expectoration very difficult.

Causes and types of sputum when coughing

Cough without fever can be caused by different types of diseases. One of the reasons for the appearance of symptoms is the development of asthma. On initial stage illness, the patient feels slight hoarseness and a dry cough with difficult to separate sputum. After some time, the wheezing becomes strong and a strong cough with sputum appears. In this case, thick, foamy mucus may form in the form of discharge.

In addition, it can be noted:

  1. Another reason could be Chronical bronchitis. A similar disease with chronic blockage of the airways causes a dry cough, which gradually turns into a cough without fever. In this case, the liquid consistency may contain salty, purulent brown mucus.
  2. A cough with yellow mucus often results from common cold. In this case, the color of sputum when coughing may change, as pus accumulates in it.
  3. Mucus accumulates in large quantities in the respiratory tract if dust, smoke and other irritants are inhaled, which provoke a cough with phlegm.

Often similar symptoms are observed with an allergic reaction or chronic sinusitis. A green liquid consistency when coughing is observed if the disease has become chronic.

A severe cough with sputum may also indicate the presence of a serious disease such as lung cancer. Therefore, you should be wary if blood streaks are found in the consistency. The mucus may also contain purulent accumulations.

If a dry cough smoothly turns into a cough with sputum, this may be a signal of the development of pneumonia. Yellow or gray salty sputum in turn changes color due to the activity of the bacteria present in it.

Yellow sputum when coughing

The appearance of yellow sputum may indicate that the patient is developing bronchitis, pneumonia or sinusitis. In the event that a cough with obvious yellow sputum appears unexpectedly and sharply, you should immediately consult a doctor to begin treatment as soon as possible.

It is especially dangerous if the mucus contains purulent or bloody accumulations. The yellow color usually appears when the main consistency is mixed with pus.

To accurately diagnose the disease and prescribe correct treatment, the doctor orders a sputum test, which is collected in a special jar. The procedure is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach, before oral cavity rinsed with a weak antiseptic solution.

Also, purulent sputum may be yellow if you smoke frequently. With bronchitis, the color of the liquid consistency can reveal the cause of the disease and the presence of bacteria in the body.

Treatment is prescribed only after a thorough examination and an accurate diagnosis.

White sputum

White sputum with a curd consistency indicates the presence of a fungal infection or tuberculosis in the respiratory tract. Fungi can infect the bronchi as a result of long-term treatment with antibiotics with reduced immunity. This leads to the appearance of pathogenic microflora on the mucous membrane. In the case of tuberculosis, mucus is usually secreted in small quantities.

If bloody spots are found in white sputum, the doctor may diagnose a pulmonary complication due to damage to the laryngeal vessels during coughing. The white, watery consistency can be caused by external irritants, a viral infection, or respiratory diseases.

Transparent sputum indicates that there is no inflammatory process. A thick and transparent consistency may indicate that pneumonia, bronchitis, allergies, asthma or a cold are developing.

With a constant increase in the amount of mucus and sputum, the patient becomes poisoned, so it is important to start treatment on time to prevent stagnation of accumulations in the bronchi.

Cough and blood

Bloody spots in the sputum when coughing indicate a respiratory disease. If such symptoms appear, you should immediately seek medical help to identify the causes and begin the necessary treatment.

When the reasons lie in the development of lung cancer, blood in the sputum is found in the form of streaks. Coughing up blood can also be caused by bronchitis, in which case small scarlet streaks can be detected in small quantities.

If the causes are the development of pneumonia, fresh traces of blood will appear from coughing with sputum. From what exactly caused painful symptoms, will depend on what treatment the doctor prescribes.

A cough that lasts more than four to eight weeks is considered to be protracted, with no positive dynamics towards recovery observed. This condition is a very alarming symptom that indicates the presence of a serious illness.

Before starting treatment, the doctor will order an X-ray of the lungs to rule out cancer. The reasons for this condition of the patient may lie in the presence of inflammation, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis. A prolonged cough can also occur in heavy smokers with prolonged bronchitis. This disease is considered chronic and is quite difficult to cure.

Prolonged cough is observed in people who, by the nature of their activities, are associated with chemicals. In particular, with constant contact with asbestos, people often develop the disease asbestosis.

To get rid of the disease, you need to change your occupation so as not to contract with the irritant; there are no other ways to solve this problem.

Cough in the morning

Quite often people cough in the morning, and there is nothing wrong with that. Thus, they cough up mucus that has accumulated in the respiratory tract overnight. However, it is important to understand that healthy people mucus comes out in small quantities. If a large amount of sputum is produced, there may be reasons for this.

Most often, heavy smokers cough heavily and cough up mucus in the morning. As you know, a chronic morning cough signals tobacco poisoning. If treatment is not started in time, the symptoms will only get worse.

Chronic lung diseases and tuberculosis can also cause a severe cough in the morning. The patient may cough excessively if mucus has flowed into the throat from the sinuses.

Treatment of cough with phlegm

When cough and sputum are caused by ARVI or bronchitis, and the accumulated consistency is difficult to expectorate, the doctor prescribes treatment using special mucolytic agents that dilute the sputum. Also, in case of difficult to separate sputum, expectorants are prescribed.

Many people, worried about their health, sometimes refuse to take medications, preferring folk remedies. However, it must be taken into account that such treatment methods may also have contraindications and cause side effects. Therefore, before starting treatment, you should consult with your doctor.

It is also important to understand that mucolytic and antitussive drugs cannot be taken at the same time, otherwise the patient’s condition will only worsen.

Medicines that relieve cough are divided into three main groups:

  • Expectorants are prescribed to treat cold symptoms with thin sputum.
  • Antitussive drugs are prescribed when it is necessary to treat non-productive and dry cough.
  • Mucolytic drugs are used when it is necessary to treat symptoms of thick, viscous, and difficult to clear sputum.

Expectorant cough medicines

Althea preparations, which include Mucaltin, Alteika syrup and Althea roots, will help to quickly and effectively cure a wet cough. A medicinal expectorant is prescribed if it is necessary to treat acute and chronic pathologies of the respiratory system in the form of bronchitis, emphysema, tracheobronchitis. The drug is used for viscous sputum that is difficult to separate.

The drug thins the consistency, relieves inflammation, stimulates wave-like contractions of the bronchial walls, so that mucus is easily removed from the respiratory tract. However, treating symptoms with Althea is contraindicated in cases of individual sensitivity, duodenal and gastric ulcers. Diabetics should also exercise caution during treatment.

Preparations based on thermopsis help treat cold symptoms by irritating the respiratory center, which promotes expectoration of mucus. These include cough tablets Thermopsol, Codelac broncho with thyme. The medicine has an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic effect due to the active elements it contains.

Breast infusions, which contain medicinal herbs such as oregano, coltsfoot, plantain, licorice, sage, anise, marshmallow, pine buds for coughs, chamomile, violet, wild rosemary, and calendula, help to quickly cure a wet cough.

Also, many people prefer to treat cold symptoms with the Bronchofit elixir, which contains wild rosemary, plantain, anise, licorice, sage, violet, and thyme.

Mucolytic cough medications

Mucolytic drugs are prescribed to drink when it is necessary to treat bronchitis. Such drugs dilute sputum, improve its excretion and thereby disrupt favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic organisms.

Medicines whose active ingredient is acetylcysteine ​​help get rid of severe symptoms at chronic course bronchitis. They are also taken for laryngitis, otitis media, and pneumonia. These drugs are contraindicated in cases of pulmonary hemorrhage, bronchial asthma, pathology of the adrenal glands, liver and kidney failure.

Bromhexine and the drugs containing it Solvin and Bronchosan are widely used for inhalation. The effect of treatment can be seen after 2 days. At increased viscosity sputum is prescribed to drink drugs based on carbocysteine, including drugs such as Fluditek, Fluifort, Bronchobos and Libexin Muno.

The interesting video in this article offers information on how you can treat a cough.

Cough with sputum without fever - how to treat?

Everyone knows that coughing is a protective reaction of the body. With its help, a person is freed from phlegm, as well as various harmful substances. Many people ask the question: why does a cough appear without fever? What does this symptom mean? Quite often, a severe cough, in which there are no signs of a cold, acute respiratory viral infection, or flu, indicates a severe allergic reaction.

Causes of wet cough without fever

A person may cough when inhaling dust or another allergen. A severe cough also appears in case of polluted air. To clarify the diagnosis, it is best to undergo a full examination.

It is important to understand that a painful wet cough without fever may indicate a serious disease of the respiratory organs or lungs. Sometimes a coughing attack appears after a person has inhaled caustic gases, tobacco smoke, or food has entered his respiratory tract.

Different colors of sputum when coughing

During diagnosis, the color of sputum is of no small importance, and you must pay attention to it, because it indicates the development of a serious disease of the respiratory organs:

  • Pneumonia almost always accompanied by yellow-green or yellow sputum.
  • Bronchial asthma has clear and thick sputum.
  • Lobar pneumonia accompanied by the release of rusty sputum.
  • Lung gangrene Almost always when coughing it is accompanied by green sputum.
  • Pulmonary edema characterized by foamy, bloody sputum.
  • Malignant lung tumor accompanied by sputum with blood fibers.
  • Bronchitis or flu characterized by yellow-green, purulent sputum with blood.
  • Pulmonary infarction accompanied by bright red sputum.
  • Fungal infection of the lungs characterized by a cough with white, lumpy sputum.

How to get rid of a wet cough without fever in a day?

With timely treatment, you can quickly get rid of this unpleasant symptom. For this traditional healers We recommend that you pay attention to the healing mixture, which contains: flaxseeds, linden, plantain, coltsfoot. Take a tablespoon of herbal mixture and brew it in a glass of boiling water.

Also be sure to try these time-tested recipes:

  • Figs with milk. You need to take 250 ml of milk, add figs (2 tablespoons) to it, and boil everything over low heat. Leave for about half an hour, then grind to a mushy consistency. Use three times a day.
  • Cranberry juice with added honey. Add a tablespoon of honey to a glass of juice.
  • Lime tea will help you quickly get rid of a wet cough. You need to take half a glass of water, add 100 grams of honey and 200 grams of linden blossom, and also be sure to add 100 grams of birch buds. Warm everything up for about 20 minutes. After straining the mixture, add another teaspoon of aloe juice. The product is taken after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • Viburnum berries. Boil the viburnum, then mix with honey in equal proportions. Take no more than a tablespoon.
  • Badger fat is the best anti-inflammatory agent. It helps get rid of even long-term cough. You need to take a small amount of fat and rub it on your chest. This healing product will help you quickly cure a wet cough that has been tormenting you for a long time.

How to treat a severe cough without fever?

Please note that there is no point in using antibiotics for a cough without fever. Perhaps this type of cough occurred after inhalation of toxic substances, as well as after smoking, in case of an allergic reaction, infection with roundworms, worms, and after prolonged contact with dust.

Antibiotics are prescribed only if a person has tracheitis, bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia or tuberculosis. A severe wet cough without a high fever still needs to be treated, strictly adhering to basic medical recommendations.

Many people are mistaken when they think that a wet cough without fever cannot be a sign of pneumonia. There are quite a few cases where pneumonia occurs without a high fever, so it is important to get examined:

  • Submit a sputum culture.
  • Perform fluorography of the lungs.
  • Take a general blood test.

In order to get rid of a wet cough, you must first find out the exact cause of its occurrence. In smokers, it most often appears early in the morning, and the sputum may contain blood. If, in addition to a cough, you have a runny nose or a sore throat, most likely you have ARVI.

Features of the treatment of wet cough without fever in an infant

Sometimes a wet cough appears in babies. What are the causes?

  • Bronchial asthma. When the disease occurs, a cough is almost always accompanied by sputum production.
  • Nocturnal coughing attack. In children, a severe cough can be a symptom of a dangerous disease - whooping cough. Cure him with ordinary medicines impossible. In this case, paroxysmal night cough with vomiting.
  • Barking cough in a baby appears during an acute inflammatory process in the nose, larynx, and nasopharynx. At severe attack Coughing strains the chest and stomach. A wet cough in a child, in which there is no temperature, is an alarming symptom that should be immediately contacted by a pediatrician.

Thus, you should not think that if you have a cough without fever, it is not dangerous at all. This is wrong! A wet cough that does not go away for a long time indicates a serious pathological process in organism. It is important to promptly establish the cause of its occurrence. When making a diagnosis, the doctor takes into account the nature of the sputum, how severe the symptom is, and conducts everything necessary tests, only then makes a decision about treatment. Any cough must be taken very seriously, otherwise it can end in serious consequences. Don't joke with your health, don't self-diagnose and self-medicate, go to the doctor right away!


Medical specialists apply the term “productive” to the concept of cough with sputum. This means that during a coughing attack, bronchial products are released - mucous secretions, which are expelled with coughing movements.

It is believed that such discharge is a sign of cleansing of the pulmonary system, and therefore one of the symptoms get well soon. However, we should not forget that the presence of mucous secretion may also indicate the development of serious diseases, for example, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, respiratory oncology, and coronary heart disease.

Causes of cough with phlegm

Discharge from expectoration can appear exclusively in diseases of the respiratory tract, representing the result of increased production and secretion of the bronchi (during bronchitis or asthma), effusion of blood plasma from the vasculature into the pulmonary cavity (during pulmonary edema), release of pus from the cavities (during an abscess , tuberculous cavities, bronchiectasis).

The most common reasons are:

  • upper respiratory tract infections (respiratory viral infections and pathologies);
  • obstructive form of bronchial inflammation;
  • pneumonia;
  • allergic conditions, including bronchial asthma;
  • rhinitis;
  • lung abscess;
  • tuberculosis.

The exact cause of the cough reflex can only be determined diagnostically, and the characteristics of bronchial secretions, as well as the presence of other accompanying symptoms, are of great importance.

Is coughing with phlegm contagious?

Is a person contagious if they cough productively? This question is often of interest to many patients, especially mothers of small children, who doubt whether it is possible to take their child to kindergarten if the attacks have become productive and mucus has begun to be coughed up.

It is worth noting that cough syndrome is contagious regardless of whether it is wet or dry if it is caused by a viral infection. On average, the period of “infectiousness” (in medicine - contagiousness) viral disease ranges from 5 to 10 days from the moment the first symptoms appear. However, some diseases can pose a danger to others for a longer period:

  • diphtheria – up to 2 weeks;
  • whooping cough – up to 18 days from the onset of the disease. As a rule, after 28 days, a patient who has had whooping cough will definitely not pose a danger, even if coughing attacks continue to bother the patient.

Therefore, it is not entirely correct to believe that if a child’s temperature has stabilized and a mucous secretion has appeared, then the risk of infecting other children is eliminated. The virus often still exists in the body and is released by the patient when they exhale and sneeze.

Symptoms of cough with phlegm

As the symptoms of the disease progress with the accumulation of secretions bronchial tree there is a need to cleanse the respiratory tract of accumulated secretions. In this case, the cough reflex is triggered - the urge to sharply exhale air, due to irritation of the walls of the bronchi with mucous secretion.

When an abundance of mucus appears, it is important to distinguish the cleansing process from the transition of inflammatory pathology to a chronic form.

Usually the coughing movement begins with a sharp and take a deep breath, which lasts no more than 2 seconds. After this, the laryngeal muscles covering the glottis also sharply contract. The bronchial muscles immediately come to tone, the abdominal muscles contract - this is the action muscle fibers aimed at overcoming the resistance of the closed glottis. At this moment, the pressure inside the chest cavity is about 100 mmHg. Art. Next, there is a sudden opening of the glottis and increased exhalation. Basically, if the bronchi have accumulated secretions, the cough reflex is triggered involuntarily, but the patient himself is able to trigger it independently.

As a rule, a cough attack and bronchial mucous discharge in itself are not a disease - these are just symptoms of another disease that is important to detect and treat. Other signs indicating the presence of the disease should not be ignored:

  • difficulty breathing, shortness of breath;
  • temperature increase;
  • loss of appetite;
  • pain inside the chest;
  • wheezing when breathing;
  • change in color and other properties of sputum.

Cough with phlegm during pregnancy

During pregnancy, any disease is perceived extremely negatively: it is still unknown how the disease will affect the fetus, as well as the pregnancy itself, and medications during this period must be taken very selectively. However, there is an indisputable fact that pregnant women's immunity is obviously weakened, so acute respiratory infections with acute respiratory viral infections during pregnancy are, unfortunately, not uncommon.

Cough syndrome during pregnancy is also common: it is not only possible, but also necessary to treat. Illiterate or untimely treatment can pose a serious threat to pregnancy. First of all, cough shocks can provoke increased uterine tone, which can lead to painful spasms and even detachment. At the same time, arterial and intra-abdominal pressure increases, which can provoke a miscarriage. early stages or premature birth for more later stages gestation.

In case of respiratory diseases, it is imperative to see a doctor, and not only that: it will be better if a woman remembers the doctor in case of any alarming or suspicious symptoms. It must be taken into account that coughing attacks and mucus discharge from the bronchi can accompany not only colds, but also stomach diseases, thyroid gland, hearts. You should not start treatment on your own; let a medical specialist do it.

Types of sputum when coughing

Bronchial mucous accumulations are pathological secretions that come out of the respiratory tract during coughing. Healthy people also produce mucus inside the bronchi: such mucus performs protective function preventing dust, chemicals and bacteria from entering the lungs. If the amount of this mucus increases, pus with other impurities is added to it, then they usually talk about the appearance of wet discharge. Discharges are divided into several types, depending on their quantity, color, smell, density, and layering.

Let's talk about the types of mucous secretions for respiratory diseases.

  • Green sputum when coughing is usually a companion to many inflammatory pathologies involving the bronchi and lungs. Such diseases can be provoked by bacterial and viral infections, or have an allergic nature. The listed diseases include prolonged bronchitis, lobar pneumonia, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, oncology, etc. As a rule, green dense mucus is a sign of a stagnant purulent process in the lungs.
  • A cough with difficult to separate sputum most often appears as a consequence of acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections, and can also be the result of congestion in the lungs. If the mucous secretion has too dense a consistency and viscosity, then it is difficult for it to exit the respiratory tract; it accumulates inside the bronchi, provoking constant coughing tremors that do not bring relief.
  • Blood in the sputum when coughing can appear either as a result of small and harmless bleeding from the capillary vessels of the bronchial tree, which could burst during a coughing attack, or as a result of a serious illness. Therefore, the presence of blood should alert you, especially if such a sign has been present for several days, or if the discharge contains a large amount of blood. We should not forget that an admixture of blood can get into the secretion from diseased tonsils, nasopharynx, and bleeding gums.
  • Yellow sputum when coughing is a consequence of the appearance of pus in the discharge. Most often this is a sign of untreated bronchitis, or its transition to a chronic form. If you continue to neglect treatment, then over time such a secretion can change color from straw yellow to rusty or green (a clear sign of a purulent process).
  • A cough with purulent sputum often indicates the development of congestion inside the lungs, especially if the discharge becomes significantly thicker. It becomes difficult for the bronchi to remove purulent secretions, which accumulate and can acquire an unpleasant odor and taste. As a rule, antibiotic therapy cannot be avoided in such a situation.
  • White sputum when coughing can potentially appear due to pneumonia. If the white secretion is released in lumps or resembles cottage cheese, this clearly means that the causative agent of pneumonia is a fungal infection. In this situation, antibiotics will not help: special antifungal therapy will be needed.
  • Black sputum when coughing in most cases is a professional sign - such discharge is typical for miners, masons, and diggers. To learn more about the presence or absence of the disease, you will have to submit the secretion for analysis.
  • Gray sputum when coughing, as well as black sputum, often accompanies respiratory diseases in representatives of certain professions, whose work involves the presence in the air and inhalation of large amounts of dust with suspended particles. This category also includes heavy smokers, in whose respiratory organs nicotine resins are deposited, giving the secreted secretions a gray tint.
  • Pink sputum when coughing is a sign of the presence of a small amount of blood inside the mucus. Most often, this is the result of bleeding from burst capillaries, which can occur when coughing attacks are too aggressive. However, such pink discharge must be monitored: if it continues for more than 3 days, or changes color to intense red, then you should immediately contact a specialist.
  • Red sputum when coughing indicates the presence of blood in the discharge. This can be considered as hemoptysis in tuberculosis, actinomycosis, respiratory oncology, abscess, pulmonary infarction, heart failure or pulmonary edema. This condition is considered very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. In rare cases, redness of the secretion may be caused by taking certain medicines.
  • Transparent sputum when coughing is the most harmless type of mucous discharge. Typically, this symptom accompanies the onset of respiratory diseases, when there are still no complications, and the disease can be cured without any negative consequences. However, if the mucus is viscous, “glassy,” then this may be a sign of bronchial asthma.
  • Foamy sputum when coughing appears with anthrax or pulmonary edema. Both diseases are considered very serious and require immediate medical attention.
  • Thick sputum when coughing usually appears at the initial stages of the transition from dry to wet, or during congestion. To prevent the mucous secretion from becoming thick, thinning medications and chest massage are used. It is also recommended to drink large amounts of alkaline warm liquid.

As you can see, the characteristics of the discharge have the most important diagnostic value. The description of coughing attacks plays an equally important role, so we will now dwell in detail on this symptom.

Types of cough syndrome

Wet cough syndrome is considered a natural physiological phenomenon, through which accumulated mucus is removed from the tracheobronchial tree. However, many are alarmed that such a symptom is not always the same. Could this indicate anything? In some cases, it really can, because manifestations of the cough reflex are a valuable informative point in making the correct diagnosis.

  • A painful cough with phlegm may indicate that the mucus is too viscous to pass out easily. Therefore, in order to push out thick secretions, the respiratory tract requires much more effort, which causes pain or even heaviness along the bronchi. To facilitate the release of mucus, medications are used to dilute it.
  • A cough with viscous sputum is often characteristic of lobar pneumonia, an inflammatory reaction in the respiratory system. With properly prescribed treatment, after a short time such mucus becomes liquid and begins to be coughed up well.
  • Attacks of coughing with phlegm can occur when there is a large accumulation of mucus in the bronchi. If there is a lot of secretions, they gradually begin to irritate the bronchial walls, which provokes a cough attack. This attack continues until all secretions leave the respiratory tract. Then the accumulation occurs again, and the process repeats. To prevent mucus from accumulating in large quantities, it is recommended to move periodically, walk around the room, and do light exercises. Chest massage is helpful.
  • Coughing after eating with sputum is most often not a sign of respiratory diseases. It has other causes related to the pathology of the digestive system. This symptom is typical for peptic ulcer stomach, gastroesophageal reflux, as well as other gastrointestinal diseases. To clarify the diagnosis, it is better to consult a gastroenterologist.
  • Cough with sputum without fever - characteristic symptom acute respiratory infection or viral infection in immunocompromised patients. Absence elevated temperature at this stage is not a reason to ignore the disease. Treatment is prescribed according to other existing symptoms.
  • A cough with sputum and a temperature of 37°C is considered one of the typical signs ORZ. This temperature is not dangerous; it does not require the use of antipyretic drugs. Moreover, the use of tablets and mixtures that “bring down” the temperature is highly not recommended in such a situation. Temperature values ​​around 37-37.8°C mean that the immune system is working and the body is fighting the disease on our own. In this case, there is no need to interfere with him.
  • An allergic cough with sputum is less common than without it. Usually not accompanied by fever, a runny nose may appear. If a bronchial secretion is released, it usually does not contain any admixture of pus or blood - the discharge appears transparent. Attacks occur more often at night or after contact with an allergen: animal hair, dust, pollen, etc. 8.
  • A cough with phlegm and a runny nose are common symptoms of ARVI or allergies. These two diseases should be distinguished: with ARVI, there is often an increase in temperature, but with allergies it should not be present.
  • Shortness of breath and cough with sputum in many cases indicate the initial stage of bronchial asthma. This disease consists of deterioration of bronchial patency due to bronchospasm, inflammatory swelling of the mucous membranes, and mucus entering the bronchi. All of these factors are collectively called “bronchial obstruction.” Shortness of breath with deterioration of the condition occurs in paroxysms: in the intervals between attacks the patient usually feels quite satisfactorily.
  • A smoker's cough with sputum is severe, with wheezing, and occurs more severely in the morning. Mucus from the bronchi may be light, sometimes with gray tint, With unpleasant smell nicotine resins. The cough reflex is triggered in response to irritation of the bronchial walls by cigarette smoke and blockage of bronchioles tobacco resins, on the accumulation of protective secretions in the respiratory organs. It is observed regularly, almost constantly, and may be accompanied by inflammatory processes (chronic) of the trachea, bronchi, and larynx.
  • Cough with sputum in the morning is observed in bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as in experienced smokers. To establish the cause of morning attacks, it is often necessary to check not only the respiratory system, but also the digestive organs, since often the mucus inside the lungs is a secretion of the stomach, thrown into the respiratory tract during night sleep. This happens during diseases of the esophagus - reflux esophagitis.
  • Night cough with sputum occurs with bronchial asthma, cardiac failure, sinusitis, whooping cough. When diagnosing this type of cough manifestations, you should also pay attention to other symptoms: pain inside the chest or in the heart, the color of the discharge, the presence of fever, runny nose.
  • A barking cough with sputum may be a sign of obstructive bronchitis, whooping cough, false croup, which often occurs in pediatric patients. In adults, this may be a sign of pharyngitis, laryngitis, as well as an inflammatory process in the bronchi and (or) trachea.
  • Coughing to the point of vomiting with sputum is common in children, since their cough and vomiting centers are almost nearby. Therefore, even a mild attack can provoke vomiting, especially if the baby has recently eaten. In adult patients, such a reaction may be a sign of disorders of the digestive system, namely peptic ulcer disease.
  • A constant cough with sputum is a clear sign of chronic damage to the respiratory system. This condition can be observed in heavy smokers, in people who work inside dusty, unventilated rooms or in chemical plants, as well as in patients who have not received adequate treatment for acute bronchitis. Chronic respiratory diseases are more difficult to treat. If the disease is associated with professional activity, then a change of job may be mandatory.
  • Paroxysmal cough with sputum - frequent companion allergies, such as bronchial asthma. During attacks, the patient experiences shortness of breath and a mucous, transparent secretion may be released from the bronchi. In the intervals between attacks, the patient, as a rule, does not worry about anything - he feels practically healthy.

As you can see, a cough reflex with secretion can be observed with various lesions of the trachea, bronchi, lungs, larynx, heart or digestive system. Therefore, it is very, very difficult to independently determine the cause of the malaise. Trust to a good doctor: comprehensive diagnostics will help identify the disease in order to promptly begin treatment for respiratory problems.

Who to contact?

Diagnosis of cough with sputum

Collecting medical history data is of great importance for diagnosing respiratory pathologies. The doctor will begin by obtaining the following information:

  • When did the disease begin?
  • Was it preceded by other illnesses, such as viral infections?
  • Is there any seasonality of the pathology, are there any attacks of difficulty breathing or shortness of breath?
  • Are there additional symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, heartburn, stomach pain, etc.?
  • Is there an increase in temperature?
  • What is special about bronchial discharge? What color are they? Is there a smell?
  • Do you have any chronic diseases or bad habits?
  • What are the features of professional activity?
  • Are you prone to allergies?
  • Has the patient taken ACE inhibitor drugs (captopril, enalapril, Prestarium, etc.)?

After clarifying the medical history, the doctor begins a series of additional studies.

  • Physical examination (general examination). Includes detection of signs of heart disease, examination of the mouth and throat. The doctor pays attention to the enlargement of the lymph nodes, the presence of free nasal breathing, and the cleanliness of the surface of the tongue and tonsils. Listens to the lungs for the presence of wheezing, whistling, crepitus, as well as the nature of the listed symptoms.
  • Chest X-ray. It is carried out to detect neoplasms and tuberculous changes inside the lungs; bronchiectasis and sarcoidosis can also be detected.
  • Assessment of the functionality of external respiration - allows you to detect bronchial obstruction, interstitial diseases lungs, bronchial asthma.
  • Analysis of bronchial secretions with microscopy of the material. Smears are stained with Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen, mucus culture and cytological examination are performed.
  • Instrumental methods of research. Bronchoscopy methods with cytology and histology are used (mainly if there is a suspicion of cancer), biopsy of suspicious tissues, transbronchial lung biopsy, computed tomography.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of a complex of studies, based on the results of a general examination, analyzes of coughed up material and instrumental assessment of the state of the respiratory system.

Treatment of cough with phlegm

Some believe that if bronchial mucus is secreted, then the disease does not need treatment. This is a big misconception. Treatment at this stage is mandatory as well. It should be aimed at facilitating the passage of discharge and eliminating the underlying disease.

If the discharge is poorly expectorated and remains in the bronchial cavity for a long time, this can lead to bacterial complications. Therefore, the most used medications in this situation are expectorants, mucolytics and combination drugs. Some of them make mucus more liquid, while others control its production in order to produce exactly the amount of secretions that is easiest for the body to eliminate.

Thinning of sputum when coughing can occur when taking expectorants:

  • vegetable (plant-based) - represented by pectusin, solutan, tussin, breast mixtures, Doctor Mom syrup;
  • synthetic - represented by bromhexine, lazolvan, ambroxol, ACC.

Herbal preparations may have less side effects, however, they are more likely to cause allergies, especially in pediatric patients. All this must be taken into account when choosing treatment options.

Treatment of cough with difficult to separate sputum should be carried out only with the help of expectorants and mucolytic medications. In no case should you use antitussives - they block the cough reflex, and difficult to remove mucus ceases to be eliminated altogether. As a result, we get an accumulation of mucus inside the bronchi and lungs, the addition of a bacterial infection and complications, sometimes in the form of pneumonia. You should select medications carefully, after consulting with your doctor. We remind you that such medications should dilute and facilitate the removal of mucus from the bronchi, cleansing the airways from the inside. At the same time, the underlying disease is treated, symptomatic treatment and immunostimulating therapy are carried out.

Cough suppressants with phlegm

If mucus from the bronchi is difficult to separate and remove, doctors recommend drinking plenty of warm liquids, including herbal teas and compotes. Medicines are used that eliminate inflammation, have an enveloping, expectorant and bronchodilator effect, reduce the sensitivity of the bronchial walls, and increase the cough threshold. If not contraindicated, you can use steam inhalations with the addition of various drugs and herbs. Inhalations help moisturize the mucous membrane, relieve pain, improve the composition of mucus, and relax the smooth bronchial muscles.

At the same time, medications based on thermopsis or ipecac should not be used in early childhood, as they can stimulate increased irritation of the respiratory system and the occurrence of vomiting.

Let's consider the most effective means more details.

Inhalations for coughs with sputum most often involve the use of herbal remedies: eucalyptus leaves, sage, calendula, chamomile, St. John's wort, as well as Salvin and Romazulon preparations. When inhaling steam, it is recommended to use phytoncides - the well-known onion or garlic, proportion 1:50. You can buy it at the pharmacy onion tincture on alcohol - it is used in an amount of 25 drops/100 ml clean water. Good effect expected from such simple remedies that are used per 0.5 liters of water:

  • sea ​​salt or baking soda (1 tsp);
  • essential oil 10 drops (eucalyptus, mint, pine needles, anise, peach);
  • balm “Star” - on the tip of a spoon.

You can use oils for inhalation - from sea buckthorn, olives, rose hips, rosemary.

Medicines for cough with sputum are divided into several categories:

  • products based on bromhexine (Bromhexine, Ascoril, Solvin);
  • products based on ambroxol (Ambrobene, Ambrosal, Flavamed, etc.);
  • products based on carbocisteine ​​(Bronchobos, Fluifort);
  • products based on acetylcysteine ​​(ACC, Fluimucil);
  • herbal preparations based on marshmallow, anise, elecampane, plantain, etc. (Mukaltin, Pectussin, Bronchicum, etc.).

Cough tablets with phlegm:

  • Carbocysteine ​​– stabilizes the consistency of mucus and promotes its release from the bronchopulmonary system. Prescribe 2 capsules three times a day, as improvement progresses to 1 capsule three times a day;
  • Licorin - normalizes the secretion of the bronchial glands, relaxes the spasmodic smooth muscle structures of the bronchi. Take ½ or a whole tablet 3 to 4 times a day after meals;
  • Liquiriton is a licorice preparation that eliminates inflammation, spasm, and helps improve expectoration. Prescribe 1-2 tablets up to 4 times a day half an hour before meals;
  • Mucaltin is a marshmallow preparation, a mild expectorant. Take 1-2 tablets orally up to 3 times a day before meals.

Antibiotics for coughing with sputum are prescribed only in advanced cases of the disease, as well as when complications are suspected. In most cases, the following antibiotics are considered effective:

  • the penicillin series is represented by amoxicillin (Flemoxin), augmentin, amoxiclav, ampicillin, etc. The listed medications have a detrimental effect on most bacteria that cause an inflammatory reaction in the respiratory system. If one of these drugs does not show the expected effect, it is replaced with another belonging to a different group of antibiotics;
  • The fluoroquinolone series is represented by levofloxacin, moxifloxacin (Avelox). Such drugs are usually prescribed if penicillin antibiotics are ineffective;
  • the cephalosporin series is represented by cefuroxime (aka Zinnat, Aksetin), cefixime (Suprax), etc. These antibiotics are often used to treat inflammatory processes in the bronchi, lungs, pleura, etc.;
  • The macrolide series is represented by azithromycin (Sumamed), which is often taken for atypical pneumonia, where the causative agents are mycoplasma or chlamydia.

Cough syrup with sputum is a very popular remedy, especially in children's practice. Many syrups are analogues of tablets, with a similar composition and effect. Children are more willing to take syrups: it is easier for them to swallow a sweet, aromatic liquid than to swallow a bitter pill. It is advisable to choose syrup based on your doctor’s recommendations:

  • Linkas is a herbal medicine that eliminates fever, spasms of the respiratory system, and improves the production of mucus by the bronchi. Prescribed for pharyngitis, tracheobronchitis;
  • Suprima-Broncho plant syrup - can be prescribed for laryngitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, whooping cough, tracheobronchitis. May cause an allergic reaction;
  • Lazolvan syrup is a product from the ambroxol group. Very common and effective drug. Used for inflammation of the bronchi, lungs, bronchial asthma, congestion, bronchiectasis;
  • Herbion - plantain syrup. Treats inflammation of the respiratory system, helps even with smoker’s cough syndrome;
  • Bromhexine syrup is a mucolytic, promotes expectoration and thins viscous mucus. Improves and facilitates the secretion of secretions;
  • Erespal for coughs with sputum - syrup based on Fenspiride, an antibronchoconstrictor. Relieves spasms, eliminates inflammation, reduces mucus secretion by the bronchi. Actively used for bronchial asthma, bronchospasms, chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, pharyngitis. Can be used in children from birth, from 2 tsp. up to 6 tbsp. l. a day before meals. When taken, drowsiness and gastrointestinal disorders may occur. \

Herbs for coughs with phlegm are the most acceptable treatment without the use of drugs. Pine buds, onions, garlic, marshmallow, mint, chamomile, plantain, coltsfoot, St. John's wort, elecampane, and sage are used as components for collections or medicinal mixtures. Herbs can be used in the form of decoctions, infusions for inhalation, and herbal teas for oral administration. Special breast preparations, which can be purchased at any pharmacy, have a good effect. There are 4 types of such fees:

  • No. 1 – marshmallow rhizome, oregano, coltsfoot leaf;
  • No. 2 – coltsfoot, plantain, licorice rhizome;
  • No. 3 – marshmallow rhizome, anise, licorice rhizome, pine buds, sage;
  • No. 4 – chamomile flower, wild rosemary, calendula, violet, licorice rhizome, mint.

The plant components in such preparations have a complex mucolytic, expectorant, bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effect. The secretion begins to drain on time, and the cough reflex gradually stops.

Folk remedies for cough with phlegm

What other folk remedies are used in the treatment of respiratory diseases with expectoration of secretions:

  • Place a whole lemon in water and boil for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cool. Cut the lemon into 2 equal parts, squeeze out the juice, to which add 2 tbsp. l. glycerin, add honey to 200 ml, mix. We take 1 tbsp. l. the resulting mass three times a day before meals and before bedtime.
  • Mix equal parts of freshly squeezed carrot juice, black radish and milk. We use 6 times a day, 1 tbsp. l.
  • Mix two chicken yolks, 2 tbsp. l. fresh butter, 2 tsp. natural honey, 1 tsp. flour. Use the resulting mass 1 tsp. throughout the day, multiple times.
  • Take black radish (7 pcs.), cut into slices, sprinkle each piece with sugar, leave for 6 hours. Drain the resulting juice, then take 1 tbsp. l. every 60 minutes.
  • We prepare viburnum jelly with honey and drink it throughout the day.
  • Prepare sage infusion (1 tbsp per 250 ml hot water), infuse, filter, add an equal amount of boiled milk. We drink 100 ml several times a day, with honey or sugar.
  • Finely chop 0.5 kg of onion, add 400 g of sugar and 40-60 g of honey, boil with 1 liter of water for 3 hours over low heat. Then let it cool and drain the liquid. We use 1 tbsp. l. about 5 times a day, possible during coughing attacks.

The use of folk remedies can be more effective if combined with steam inhalation, using baking soda, medicinal herbs. A positive effect is observed when fir, cedar, and eucalyptus oils are added to the liquid for inhalation. Such procedures are best carried out at night, before going to bed.

What to do if a cough with phlegm does not go away?

The appearance or intensification of the presence of pus in mucous secretions, a significant increase in the amount of secretion, an increase in temperature (preliminary signs of exacerbation) may be a reason for the earliest possible and rapid prescription of antibiotic therapy. This treatment begins with the use of ampicillin (1 g 4 to 6 times a day), chloramphenicol (0.5 g four times a day), tetracycline, cefazolin, lincomycin.

To activate the protective immune mechanism, it is recommended to take vitamin drinks and multivitamin preparations. In order to stimulate the body's nonspecific resistance, biogenic stimulants are used:

  • liquid aloe extract for injection IM or SC, 1 ml per day for a month;
  • bioseda intramuscular injection 1 ml (2 ml) every day. For 20-30 days.

If the condition persistently worsens, then independent treatment is out of the question. Therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a physician - therapist, pulmonologist, otolaryngologist, phthisiatrician.

Help with cough with phlegm

During an attack, the main type of assistance may be to accelerate the removal of mucous secretions from the respiratory tract. Pathogenic microorganisms can accumulate in the laryngeal or bronchial cavity, and they can only be removed with good expectoration. The faster you can clear your airways of secretions, the faster your body will feel relief and begin to recover.

At the same time as taking medications prescribed by the doctor, the patient should drink large amounts of warm liquid to facilitate the passage of mucus. This will significantly improve the removal of secretions and cleansing of the respiratory system. As a drink, it is useful to use herbal teas based on linden blossom, rose hips, raspberries, currants, and other medicinal plants.

If there is mucous secretion in the bronchi, then drugs that block the cough reflex should under no circumstances be used. Such drugs include, for example, codeine, as well as all products based on it.

We can give some advice to those who cannot cope with the disease:

  • monitor the air humidity in the room (normally, humidity should range from 40 to 60%);
  • if you smoke, quit. Moreover, avoid smoky places;
  • avoid hypothermia and sudden overheating, do not leave a hot room into frosty air;
  • Avoid inhaling vapors from various chemical sprays and detergents;
  • do not suppress the desire to cough - this way you cleanse the bronchi, alleviating your condition.

Prevention of cough with phlegm

The triggering of the cough reflex in most cases is a symptom of a disease of the respiratory system, so it can be prevented if you think in time about the prevention of respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, laryngitis, etc.

For prevention, factors that can provoke such diseases should be avoided: hypothermia, drafts, weakened immunity, physical overload, stress, vitamin deficiency.

Avoid situations that can lead to lung irritation: leave smoky, smoky, dusty and chemically treated areas. Working with chemicals, paints and paints can provoke the development of chronic damage to the respiratory system. If staying in such rooms is unavoidable, use appropriate protective measures - gauze bandages, respirators, etc.

If you are prone to allergies or have bronchial asthma, try to avoid provoking factors (contact with potential allergens).

Needless to say, smoking, one of the main factors in the development of chronic cough syndrome, is very harmful to overall health. If you smoke, give up this habit. The rest can be advised to avoid places where they smoke. Passive smoking irritates the respiratory tract no less than active smoking.

Hardening the body has a good preventive effect. It is best to start procedures in the summer, when it is easier for the body to withstand temperature changes, and the immune system is stronger. summer period considered stronger. Dousing with cool water, contrast showers, swimming in open reservoirs, air and sunbathing, outdoor sports. In winter, it is better to do hardening under the supervision of a specialist, because illiterate excessive cooling of the body can have the opposite effect.

Prognosis of cough with phlegm

The prognosis directly depends only on the underlying disease that triggered the cough reflex. If this symptom accompanies an acute viral or microbial infection of the respiratory system, then it is safely eliminated after the underlying disease is cured.

If the cause of the attack is an allergy or the use of certain medications, then eliminating the allergen and replacing the medications with others will help eliminate the unpleasant symptom.

Healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, absence bad habits, active pastime can be the key favorable prognosis respiratory diseases.

If the cough with phlegm is chronic, it will be more difficult to get rid of it - this may require complex complex treatment, often using potent drugs and antibiotic therapy.

Green sputum when coughing

Green sputum when coughing indicates an inflammatory process in the bronchi, trachea or lungs with the formation of mucopurulent or purulent exudate.

With intense inflammation, exudate accumulates and enters the secretions of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract affected by infection.

Causes of green sputum when coughing

The main reasons for the appearance of green sputum when coughing are directly related to those diseases whose symptom is a productive (wet) cough. Such diseases are tracheobronchitis, acute bronchitis and exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, bronchiectasis, post-pneumonia purulent pleurisy (pleural empyema), as well as lung abscess.

As experts note, if green sputum comes out when you cough, it means that gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella spp., Serratia marcescens and etc.

Bronchotracheitis of infectious etiology develops from tracheitis against the background of a sufficiently high temperature, rhinitis, pharyngitis or laryngitis, when the inflammatory process descends from the upper respiratory tract to the lower. If at the beginning of the disease the cough is dry, with attacks in the morning, then approximately on the 4-5th day the cough becomes productive, and yellow-green sputum appears when coughing.

Acute bronchitis, as well as exacerbation of its chronic form, is characterized by a severe cough, in which the patient coughs up mucopurulent exudate of a viscous consistency of yellow or greenish color.

Among clinical signs bronchiectasis, which occurs as a result of damage to the walls of the bronchi and their expansion, green sputum is noted when coughing, often with bloody inclusions and particles of dead epithelial tissue of the bronchi.

And in especially severe forms of pneumonia, a pyogenic capsule can form in their tissues - a cavity with purulent-necrotic contents. In this case, a lung abscess is diagnosed, which eventually breaks into the bronchi, and then when coughing, green sputum with pus comes out, having a pronounced putrid odor.

Who to contact?

Pulmonologist Doctor general practice Family doctor

Diagnosis of green sputum during cough

The exact cause of respiratory diseases, which are accompanied by a cough with green sputum, is called upon to establish diagnostics. Unfortunately, the presence of green sputum during a cough is not always subjected to a comprehensive study using proven diagnostic techniques. This leads to the fact that when prescribing antibiotics, the causative agent of the inflammatory process is not taken into account, and, therefore, with the same symptom antibacterial drugs may not work and may not cure the disease or significantly slow down recovery and cause complications.

To determine the true origin of the cough, a more thorough examination is necessary based on:

  • general blood test;
  • biochemical blood test;
  • blood test for eosinophils, mycoplasma, etc.;
  • culture of sputum for microflora;
  • sputum smear bacterioscopy;
  • general urinalysis;
  • urine antigen test;
  • scatological examination (stool analysis);
  • chest x-ray;
  • spirometric study of respiratory parameters;
  • bronchoscopy;
  • Ultrasound or CT scan of the chest.

Treatment of green sputum when coughing

Currently in clinical practice etiological treatment of green sputum when coughing, or rather, diseases that have this symptom, is carried out with the help of antibiotics.

Ampicillin is prescribed (synonyms - Ampexin, Domipen, Opicillin, Pentrexil, Riomycin, Cimexillin, etc.): adults - 500 mg 4 times a day; daily dosage for children it is calculated at 100 mg per kilogram of body weight and divided into 6 doses within 24 hours.

Amoxicillin (synonyms - Augmentin, Flemoxin) adults and children over 10 years old take 0.5 g after meals - three times a day, children 5-10 years old - 0.25 g, children 2-5 years old - 0.125 g three times per day. The minimum course of treatment is 5 days.

In the treatment of green sputum when coughing in adults (pneumonia), an effective third-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic Levofloxacin (Levoflocin, Tavanic, Tigeron, Flexid, etc.) in tablets can be used: before meals, twice a day, 0.25-0.5 g; Duration of treatment - 5 days.

A five-day course of treatment of streptococcal respiratory tract infections with the antibiotic Rovamycin (in tablets of 1.5 and 3 million IU) is practiced. Adults should take 3 million IU three times a day; for children, the daily dose is calculated per kilogram of body weight - 150 thousand IU per day - and is divided into three doses. Azithromycin (Sumamed) and Erythromycin are also used. And Josamycin (Vilprafen) is especially effective for inflammation of the respiratory tract caused by Peptococcus spp. or Peptostreptococcus spp. Doctors recommend taking the drug 500 mg three times a day.

For pneumonia of fungal etiology, treatment of green sputum during cough should be carried out with antifungal antibiotics, for example, Amphoglucamine. The recommended use of this is from 10 to 14 days: adults - 200-500 thousand units twice a day (after meals); for children - depending on age (25-200 thousand units 2 times a day).

When drug therapy for viral bronchitis and pneumonia, antibiotics should be supplemented with antiviral agents (Remantadine, Acyclovir, Virazol, etc.), which the doctor prescribes individually, depending on the specific causative agent of the disease.

Treatment of green sputum when coughing: means for thinning and coughing up sputum

The key principle that all doctors adhere to when prescribing symptomatic treatment of green sputum when coughing is to never suppress the cough reflex, but to promote coughing up accumulated exudate.

Expectorants act by dilating the bronchioles, which facilitates the removal of mucus. Terpinhydrate tablets (0.25 and 0.5 g) are prescribed one tablet three times a day. Mucaltin (based on marshmallow) should be taken before meals, 0.05-0.1 g, taken 2-3 times (before meals). Licorina hydrochloride - 0.1-0.2 mg 3-4 times a day (about 30-45 minutes before meals). Ammonia-anise drops should be taken for coughing in the following dosage: adults - 10-15 drops 2-3 times a day; for children - at the rate of one drop for every year of life. Finally, Pertussin, which contains thyme extract and potassium bromide, stimulates the physiological activity of the ciliated epithelium and the peristalsis of the bronchioles, due to which any, including green sputum when coughing, moves from the lower parts of the respiratory tract to the upper ones, and from there is excreted. Adults should take Pertussin a tablespoon three times a day, children – a teaspoon or dessert spoon 2-3 times.

Mucolytic drugs make sputum less viscous, which greatly facilitates its removal from the respiratory tract. Recommended by doctors, Bromhexine (Bronchostop, Solvin) is used by adults and children over 14 years of age, 8-16 mg 3-4 times a day; children 6-14 years old - 8 mg three times a day, 2-6 years old - 4 mg, children under 2 years old - 2 mg 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 5 days.

Ambrohexal (others trade names– Ambroxol, Lazolvan, Bronchopront, Mucozan, Mucovent, Mucobroxol, etc.) increases the production of mucus in the respiratory tract. For adults, the drug is prescribed one tablet 2-3 times a day (after meals) or 10 ml of the drug in syrup form three times a day. For children over 6-12 years old, the recommended dose of syrup is 5 ml (2-3 times a day); children aged 2-5 years - 2.5 ml; up to 2 years - 2.5 ml twice a day.

Acetylcysteine ​​(Acestine, ACC, Muconex and other trade names) for adults and children over 14 years of age is prescribed 200 mg 3 times a day; children 6-14 years old - 200 mg twice a day; Children 2-5 years old are recommended to take the drug in the form effervescent tablets ACC - 100 mg 2 times a day.

You can also use pharmaceutical medicines for coughs with green sputum. herbal mixtures, which include licorice or marshmallow root, coltsfoot and oregano herbs, black elderberry flowers, plantain leaves, anise seeds. Getting ready medicinal decoction simple: a tablespoon of the mixture is poured with 250 ml of boiling water (or two tablespoons per half liter of water) and infused under a lid in a water bath for a quarter of an hour; then the broth should be cooled, strained and taken half a glass twice a day (after meals).

Prevention of green sputum during cough is the effective treatment of cough in any pathology of the respiratory tract, without bringing it to a state of stagnation of sputum in the bronchi and lungs. The faster you get rid of phlegm, the better the prognosis for green phlegm when coughing. So, acute bronchitis can be overcome in ten days, but chronic bronchitis will have to be dealt with much longer - one and a half to two months, or even more.

Remember that inflammation in the respiratory tract can lead to purulent bronchitis, chronic pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and lung abscess. IN the latter case, according to pulmonologists, serious problems arise, the solution of which may require emergency surgical intervention.

Therefore, you should consult a doctor if you develop green sputum when coughing.

Causes of yellow sputum when coughing

Yellow sputum when coughing can appear in cases where a large amount of secretions has accumulated in the lungs. Coughing is a natural attempt by the body to cleanse itself of excess. A similar mechanism can be called the same sneezing. That is why it is so important not to restrain yourself, but to clear your throat well during such attacks. But here it is important that the sputum that comes out is spat out and not returned back by swallowing.

Remembering the rules of decency, when coughing you should cover your mouth and not use your hand for such purposes, but always have a handkerchief or napkin with you. Firstly, this is how civilized people behave, and secondly, this is how the spread of infection is curbed. In fact, coughing is a reflex reaction that occurs in response to irritation of the airways and respiratory organs. But if sputum is also present, this may be evidence of an allergic, respiratory or infectious disease. It all depends on the nature of such discharge.

What is sputum?

This definition in medicine is moist mucous secretions that form on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and organs. Sputum may consist partly of saliva, which is mixed during work salivary glands, immune cells, various microorganisms, blood cells, dust, plasma and products remaining after cell decay. It is worth noting that such mucus manifests itself only if a pathological process has begun in the body. Accordingly, if a person is healthy, then such trouble will not bother him.

As noted above, sputum can have not only different color, but also different consistency. There are a number of laboratory tests that make it possible to determine the cause of the disease by analyzing the discharge. This helps the doctor determine a range of treatment options. Based on the percentage of one or another component in the sputum, one can judge not only the type of disease, but also what stage it is at. Attention is also paid to how viscous the sputum is.

As for yellow discharge, it usually has no odor. But if an unpleasant odor begins to emanate from them, then this is a direct sign that a cancerous process or gangrene has begun in the lungs. Therefore, the sooner treatment measures are taken, the better for the patient’s health. Since if you delay the resolution of this issue, the likelihood of surgical intervention will be very high.

How is yellow sputum examined?

As noted above, for diseases that are accompanied by expectoration, the doctor must take a sputum sample for testing. Usually this procedure is carried out in the morning, while the patient has not eaten anything yet.

For maximum information, the specialist usually prescribes a bronchoscopy for his patient, which is performed only in an inpatient setting. Using this method, it is possible to assess the condition of the bronchi and trachea. This procedure is performed using a bronchofiberscope, which allows you to take a “clean” sample, that is, without mixing with saliva and other microorganisms that are in the oral cavity.

Yellow sputum may indicate diseases such as:

  1. Bronchitis. If a patient has bronchitis, then the inflammatory process in the organs began as a result of a virus or harmful bacteria. This disease can become chronic, especially after acute bronchitis. Also, such a danger awaits those who spend a long time in conditions of severe pollution, for example, with a high concentration of dust or air pollution.
  2. Sinusitis. As for sinusitis, this disease causes inflammation in the paranasal sinuses. This situation may arise as a complication after undergoing infectious diseases or if the person has suffered a severe facial injury.
  3. Pneumonia. In this case, the disease develops against the background of the lung tissue infections. This disease, if measures are not taken in time, can be fatal.
  4. Asthma. This pathology is often congenital; it affects the respiratory tract and is provoked by various cellular elements.

To make a more accurate diagnosis, laboratory technicians pay attention not only to color, but also to consistency, odor, amount of discharge during the day, etc.

Yellow sputum can also be not only a sign of a specific disease, but also evidence that a person has a decent history of smoking. This occurs because cigarette smoke contains resins that, when burned, give off a yellow color and stain all surfaces with which they come into contact. The same can be observed with the fingers of smokers: the nail plates often have a yellow-brown tint.

Sputum of this nature is saturated with eosinophils, which not only give this color to the discharge, but are also a direct sign of the presence of an infectious, allergic or chronic onset of the disease. Special attention deserves a cough that starts for no apparent reason.

Therefore, if a person begins to cough and cough up yellow mucus, he should immediately consult a doctor.

In this case, it is worth paying attention to the discharge itself, because, in addition to color, it may contain purulent or bloody inclusions.

How to get rid of the problem?

First of all, it is necessary to undergo a series of examinations, on the basis of which the doctor will be able to determine the course of therapy. The fact is that each disease requires its own approach, and if it is pneumonia, then the treatment will have one direction, but if it is tuberculosis, then the issue will be resolved in a completely different way.

Among the general recommendations, it is indicated that the patient needs to rinse his mouth during this period. For this, antiseptic solutions are used, and after them the mouth is rinsed with ordinary boiled water. As for drug treatment, the patient is prescribed:

  • expectorants, which help clear the lungs of harmful accumulations;
  • mucolytics aimed at dissolving mucous formations;
  • antibiotics that destroy bacteria.

In fact, mucolytics act in such a way that the mucus remains in its quantity, but at the same time it dilutes and gradually leaves the lungs. Experts usually prescribe Ambroxol, Acetylcysteine, Bromhexine and syrups based on licorice root. These medications help well with bronchial asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis and other similar diseases that are associated with the upper respiratory tract.

The main purpose of expectorants is to help remove mucus from the surface of the upper respiratory tract. Such drugs provoke a cough that the patient cannot control. Popular from this category are “Thermopsis”, “Trypsin” and sodium benzoate.

In order for the healing process to proceed better, it is necessary to promote the expansion of the bronchi. This will help the mucus pass through more easily and increase the permeability of the bronchi themselves. For such purposes, Erespal, Stoptussin, Bromhexine and Gedelix are prescribed for use.

If yellow sputum appears, then more narrowly targeted drugs will be needed. These are the same antibiotics and antibacterial drugs.

It is very important to know that treatment should not be aimed at eliminating symptoms, but at combating the cause that showed such signs. Therefore, it is advisable to seek help from a specialist who will prescribe a course of tests and, based on the results, will fight the disease.

Mucus when coughing - etiology of the disease

Mucus released when coughing can accumulate in the nasopharynx, bronchi, or lungs. This happens for various reasons and is not always associated with respiratory diseases. When coughing, mucus irritates certain receptors and, in simple non-medical language, actively asks to come out. It varies in color and consistency, as well as in quantity. Going to a doctor’s appointment and saying, “I’m coughing up mucus,” is not enough. It should be explained when you have attacks, whether they are accompanied by dry or wet symptoms, whether they cause an increase in temperature, and so on. In order to determine the etiology of sputum, a specialist will prescribe laboratory tests.

Cough with mucus in a smoker

Heavy smokers often note that they produce yellow mucus when they cough. This happens most often in the morning. In this case, the attack does not stop until the person completely clears his throat. This happens due to constant irritation of the respiratory tract mucosa by tars and other harmful substances contained in nicotine products.

The tissues of a smoker's lungs and bronchi gradually undergo changes, which leads to chronic bronchitis and other more dangerous diseases. Among them, especially noteworthy are lung cancer and emphysema, in which a smoker's cough also causes yellow to brownish mucus.

When coughing, mucus is released during bronchitis and pneumonia

If your cough produces white or green slime, and it is excruciating, debilitating and painful, with pneumonia being a possible cause. This disease develops due to untreated colds and respiratory infections, as well as as a result of severe hypothermia. The color of mucus during pneumonia can vary from clear and white to green, periodically acquiring a brownish-yellow tint. When pneumonia occurs, a lot of secretions come out. In this case, the release of mucus when coughing is also accompanied by weakness, profuse sweating and a strong increase in temperature up to fever.

White secretory fluid that does not change color may indicate the presence of bronchitis. A disease that affects the bronchi most often develops after the flu or a cold.

Cough with white and green mucus due to pneumonia and bronchitis requires treatment with antibiotics and expectorants. The latter are aimed at relieving inflammation, thinning mucus and removing it from the lungs and bronchi.

Mucus in the throat and cough with laryngitis

Laryngitis is a disease in which the throat becomes inflamed. The cough with mucus in this disease is barking and paroxysmal. It can last for a long time, causing attacks of suffocation. Laryngitis is most often accompanied by swelling of the larynx; in this case, patients are prescribed a course of hormonal medications aimed at normalizing the condition of the mucous membrane.

During laryngitis, a small amount of mucus comes out when you cough. It can be white or transparent.

I cough up white mucus when I cough, what is the reason?

Cough with clear or white sputum is not always caused by respiratory and bronchopulmonary diseases. Sometimes this symptom indicates prolonged contact with chemicals, fuel combustion products, epoxy resins and dust. We are talking about harmful production. People who work there often complain that they cough up white mucus. However, its color may be different depending on what particular substance irritates the respiratory organs.

Such a cough, the treatment of which must also be prescribed by a doctor, requires extensive diagnostics, which includes not only laboratory but also x-ray studies.

Tuberculosis as the cause of this symptom

If when you cough, mucus of a yellow and green hue or mixed with blood comes out, then we are probably talking about tuberculosis. This is a dangerous disease caused by Koch's bacillus. It is sown using special laboratory tests. At an early stage, tuberculosis affects only lung tissue. In addition to the above symptoms, it is accompanied by pain in the chest area. It is worth noting that this disease in the early stages is completely curable by taking strong antibacterial drugs.

The third and fourth stages of tuberculosis cannot be completely cured. However, even in this state, a sick person is successfully supported with medications. The advanced disease is especially dangerous because, in addition to lung tissue, it affects the intestines, gastrointestinal tract and joints.

Tuberculosis is transmitted by airborne droplets and household contact. Prevention of its development is regular medical examination, during which it is necessary to undergo fluorography.

If you have these symptoms for a long time, and the condition gradually worsens, be sure to consult a doctor. Remember that diseases are easier to prevent at an early stage through proper treatment.

The appearance of blood in sputum can be associated with various human pathologies. Only a doctor can determine the exact cause of this condition. In any case, a cough with sputum and blood requires a visit to a specialist who will prescribe a course of diagnostic measures. Treatment for coughing up blood is prescribed by your doctor depending on the established cause such a phenomenon.

The presence of blood in the sputum may be indicated by streaks of a reddish or rusty hue. Single such veins usually appear when a small vessel in the lungs ruptures. In this case, there is no threat to life and health. But the appearance of clearly visible blood in the sputum when coughing is serious sign, which may indicate tuberculosis, tumor processes in the lungs, inflammation and other serious diseases.

Sometimes the presence of blood in the sputum is associated with a history of chronic bronchitis. However, this is incorrect, since this pathology cannot lead to the occurrence of such symptoms.

Causes of coughing with phlegm and blood

In most cases, blood in the sputum when coughing is a sign of damage to the respiratory system. This symptom can be accompanied by various serious pathologies that pose a threat to human life and health. There can be several reasons for coughing with phlegm and blood, the main ones are the following:

  1. Lungs' cancer. This disease is most often detected in people who have for a long time coughing up blood is observed. During tumor processes in the lungs, scarlet streaks of blood may appear in the sputum. Other symptoms of this pathology include significant weight loss, pain in the chest, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of oxygen, a prolonged painful cough, severe night sweats, and others. The most susceptible to this disease are people who smoke for a long time, as well as those who work in production with constant air pollution, for example, in the cement industry.
  2. Acute bronchitis. With a strong cough, small single streaks of blood may appear in the sputum. In addition, bronchitis is characterized by symptoms such as fever, weakness, severe cough with sputum, sometimes purulent, shortness of breath and others.
  3. Lung abscesses, which are the formation of cavities in the lung tissue filled with purulent contents. An abscess usually develops in people with weakened immune systems. Signs of this disease include chest pain, fever that persists for a long time, bouts of night sweats, general malaise, disturbance of normal sleep and appetite, as well as a cough that produces a large amount of sputum with the presence of pus and blood streaks.
  4. Bronchiectasis. With this pathology, there may be weakness, shortness of breath, and a possible rise in temperature. It is accompanied by a prolonged, frequent cough with purulent sputum and blood.
  5. Inflammation of the lungs, or pneumonia. Typical symptoms of the disease are chest pain, a significant increase in temperature, severe shortness of breath, and a sharp, repeated cough, which can produce a large amount of sputum with traces of fresh blood. The color of the sputum itself may be “rusty” due to clotted blood.
  6. Tuberculosis. It is manifested by a decrease in body weight, loss of appetite, a constant slight increase in temperature to approximately 37.5 degrees, constant bouts of coughing with the discharge of sputum, which may contain pus and streaks of blood. The appearance of a large amount of fresh blood in the sputum when coughing is an unfavorable diagnostic sign.
  7. Pulmonary embolism. When an embolism occurs, the lumen of the pulmonary artery becomes blocked. People are more likely to develop this pathology after surgical operations, such as the treatment of thrombophlebitis of the leg veins. Signs of the disease include shortness of breath, sudden severe pain in the space behind the sternum, and coughing up blood occurs several hours after the first symptoms.
  8. Damage and developmental pathologies of heart valves and other similar heart diseases. With such diseases, normal blood circulation is disrupted, which leads to stagnation in the lungs. Symptoms of heart pathologies include severe shortness of breath, which worsens with physical activity, and cough with sputum and traces of blood.
  9. Cystic fibrosis. This pathology is characterized by changes in the functioning of the glands and is inherited. Respiratory cystic fibrosis, accompanied by damage to the respiratory system, is manifested by symptoms such as cough with thick sputum, which contains pus and streaks of blood, frequent colds, and the infection quickly descends into lower sections respiratory system.
  10. External factors. Coughing up blood may occur after certain diagnostic procedures, such as biopsy, bronchoscopy, and chest surgery. It is possible that traces of blood may appear in the sputum after taking certain medications.
  11. Pathologies of the digestive organs. It is a fairly rare case that vomiting blood or bleeding in the esophagus, stomach or upper intestines is mistaken for bleeding from the lungs. For organ diseases digestive tract the blood comes out, as a rule, in the form of clots, in large quantities, and its color is dark red.

Diagnosis of cough with bloody sputum

Blood in the sputum when coughing often indicates serious pathologies, so in such cases you should consult a doctor. IN diagnostic purposes the following activities can be carried out:

  1. Bronchoscopy. It can be used to detect bronchiectasis, lung tumors and other pathologies. This examination consists of examining the bronchi to determine changes in their walls, narrowing of the lumen and other damage.
  2. Chest X-ray. During this procedure, the condition of the heart and lungs can be assessed. Darkening in the lung area indicates the presence of embolism of the arteries of the lung, cancer or inflammatory processes.
  3. CT scan. This type of examination shows in detail the nature of changes in lung tissue. It can be used to diagnose tuberculosis, lung cancer, bronchiectasis, abscess and other pathologies.
  4. Sputum analysis. Detects the presence and number of pathogenic microorganisms in the bronchi, such as Koch bacilli, causing tuberculosis. In addition, sputum examination can help identify pneumonia, abscess and other diseases.
  5. Sweat analysis. With its help, a violation of chlorine metabolism in the body, characteristic of cystic fibrosis, is revealed.
  6. General blood analysis. This examination shows the presence of inflammatory processes in the body.
  7. A coagulogram is a study of blood clotting.
  8. ECG. It is carried out if it is suspected that the cause of cough with bloody sputum is heart disease.
  9. FEGDS. It examines the upper organs of the digestive system. Such a study is necessary to exclude pathologies of the digestive organs.

Treatment of cough with blood in sputum

In any case, if signs of blood are detected in the sputum, you must consult a doctor to establish a diagnosis. After conducting the required research, the specialist will be able to prescribe treatment for cough with sputum and blood, aimed primarily at getting rid of the underlying disease. If more than a year has passed since the last X-ray examination of the lungs, then it is necessary to undergo this examination.

You should urgently seek medical help in the following cases:

  • The patient has a severe cough with copious discharge sputum and blood, liquid and in the form of clots;
  • coughing up blood appears suddenly and is accompanied by a feeling of suffocation and chest pain;
  • coughing up blood occurs after a fall or injury.

You should immediately go to the doctor if:

  • secretion of sputum with blood that occurs suddenly, without a previous cold or prolonged cough;
  • streaks of blood in the sputum when coughing appear periodically over a long period of time;
  • blood comes out when you cough smoking man.

Therapeutic measures for all diseases accompanied by coughing with sputum and blood are prescribed by a doctor. The course of treatment may include the following groups of drugs:

  • antitussives;
  • softening;
  • thinning phlegm;
  • expectorants;
  • distractions.

Severe cough and bloody sputum

For severe cough and bloody sputum caused by respiratory infections, expectorants and thinners are usually prescribed. Representatives of this group are licorice root, breast collection, ACC, Lazolvan and others. For the same purposes, you can use inhalations with medicinal plants.

Salbutamol, its derivatives and analogues are used to relieve bronchospasms. Among other things, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and other agents are prescribed if necessary.

Severe bleeding, when the sputum turns red, often requires surgery. This condition indicates severe damage to the bronchi.

Fever, cough, bloody sputum

Fever, bloody sputum and cough, as well as shortness of breath and chest pain are all typical symptoms of influenza pneumonia. This disease develops about a week after the onset of the flu. The nature of inflammation is usually mixed bacterial-viral. The temperature can rise to 40 degrees and above, there are signs of intoxication, shortness of breath, severe chest pain, bouts of painful coughing with the release of sputum with blood and pus. If you suspect such a disease, you should definitely contact a specialist. Otherwise, complications such as pulmonary edema, acute heart failure, ulcerative-hemorrhagic tracheobronchitis, and abscesses may develop. The consequence of such pathologies can be serious harm to health, and even death of the patient.

Phlegm is a secretion produced by the respiratory organs to protect against the penetration of foreign particles. Its small amount and transparent consistency is not a sign of pathology. Many infectious diseases accompanied wet cough with liquid separation. At this time, the volume of mucus secreted increases noticeably, and it itself turns a certain color. Yellow sputum when coughing, released from the bronchopulmonary region, may indicate a type of disease.

What does the color of sputum mean?

The fluid is present in the respiratory organs throughout a person’s life. In the absence of diseases, its norm is a transparent secretion that does not provoke a cough reflex and is practically not secreted. If they enter the body harmful bacteria, they begin to actively multiply and spread, which is reflected in the consistency and color of the mucus.

If the fluid comes out in large quantities only in the morning, and during wakefulness the cough hardly bothers you, the following pathologies may occur:

  • gastric reflux (reflux of contents into the esophagus);
  • bronchiectasis;
  • cardiovascular disorders;
  • adenoids - in a young child.

The shade of sputum in diseases can vary. Gray-yellow, white expectorated mucus is a clear indicator of a viral disease. Brown, green colors and streaks of blood may indicate more serious health problems.

Reasons for appearance

There are a number of known diseases in which yellow, thick sputum is coughed up:

  1. Acute or chronic bronchitis. Bacteria that enter the body quickly spread to the lower respiratory tract. The infection provokes inflammation of the internal epithelium of the bronchi. Among the striking symptoms are first a dry, then a wet cough, sore throat, chills and fever. Bronchitis is often accompanied by low-grade or febrile fever.
  2. Various forms of pneumonia. This pathology often occurs against the background of acute respiratory viral infection or bronchitis. Microbes, causing pneumonia, belong to the streptococcal group, but there may be other pathogens. Bacteria affect one side of the lung or both parts at once. Symptoms include wheezing in the chest, increased body temperature, and viscous yellow sputum. Sometimes the mucus you cough up is yellow-brown or yellow-green. The color of the sputum is given by purulent inclusions.
  3. A common cold or flu. At the initial stage of the disease, a dry cough may appear. After a certain period, it turns into wet, with the release of yellow sputum. The temperature can remain at 36.6–39.5°C.
  4. Sinusitis or sinusitis is caused by a rapidly spreading virus. The maxillary sinuses begin to become inflamed, and a large amount of purulent fluid is formed. The mucus exits through the nasal passage, some of it flows down the nasopharynx. A cough reflex with expectoration occurs. If you cough up yellow sputum, there is pain in the paranasal sinuses, the patient may have sinusitis.
  5. Chronic hereditary disease lungs – cystic fibrosis. The second name is cystic fibrosis. With this pathology, a large mass of mucus accumulates in the respiratory tract, and a layer of bacterial infection causes purulent inflammation. Sputum is expelled with a strong cough.
  6. Seasonal allergic reactions of the body. White-yellow sputum is released when coughing and is often viscous. In addition to this symptom, there is redness of the eyes, itching, increased sneezing, and discharge of liquid mucus from the nose.
  7. Smoker's cough. The symptom is caused by pathological changes in the respiratory tract. Constant irritation of mucous membranes tobacco smoke provokes increased secretion of sputum from the lungs in the morning with cough. Dark yellow mucus accumulates overnight and is intensely released when a person wakes up.
  8. Lung cancer. The most serious disease in which there is persistent cough. Yellow sputum with blood is coughed up. In addition to coughing, there is severe chest pain. Mucus streaked with blood and a paroxysmal cough for more than two weeks allows the doctor to suspect a malignant tumor.

Coughing up light yellow sputum with a temperature above 37°C is a likely sign of ARVI. Other symptoms and contact with the patient are important. A person experiences nasal congestion, headaches, and loss of energy.

Important! Infectious diseases usually last 7–10 days, but without adequate treatment can develop into complicated forms. In this case, medications from the group of antibiotics are often prescribed.

There may be a cough with yellow sputum without fever. The reasons that provoke it are smoking, allergies, asthma. In the absence of a serious illness, yellow sputum does not have a specific pungent odor. If the mucus discharge smells rotten, this indicates complications in an adult:

  • lung abscess;
  • gangrene;
  • oncological pathology.

Know! Alarming, unusual symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Diagnostics

When bright yellow mucus comes out when coughing, accompanied by a rise in body temperature, the doctor diagnoses an infectious process in the patient’s body. He prescribes additional tests to establish an accurate diagnosis:

  • general blood analysis;
  • Analysis of urine;
  • biochemical blood test;
  • sputum analysis.

For laboratory examination of sputum, a small amount of the patient's mucus is taken directly into the medical office. Sometimes the patient is prescribed independent collection of morning sputum, which is carried out three times.

Attention! More reliable information about the state of the respiratory system can be obtained by conducting a special examination - bronchoscopy. The procedure is an endoscopic method and is performed in a medical facility.

The doctor receives an image from the bronchoscope on a monitor, which allows him to see and analyze the changes that have occurred in the organs. In addition, during bronchoscopy, you can obtain mucus, which is free of saliva and food particles, for further research. Sometimes a piece of tissue is taken at the same time for a biopsy - if a malignant neoplasm is suspected.

Treatment of yellow sputum

Before prescribing, the doctor must determine the cause of the symptom. Therapy is primarily aimed at eliminating the causative agent of cough with the separation of purulent sputum.

Important! If there is no fever, treatment at home may be prescribed. 24-hour medical supervision is required only for complicated forms of the disease - pneumonia, severe acute bronchitis, sinusitis or sinusitis.

Drug therapy

Medicines are prescribed only after the type of infection has been established. This takes into account individual characteristics body, the presence of concomitant diseases, patient characteristics. Medicines that work for adults may not be suitable for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women.

If the sputum is difficult to separate and has a dense structure, medications are prescribed to ease coughing and mucus discharge:

  1. Althea syrup, Thermopsis tablets, licorice root infusion - all these medications are aimed at enhancing the formation and thinning of sputum. Thanks to taking the drugs, the cough decreases and the mucus is easier to expectorate.
  2. Mucolytic agents help remove mucus. This group of drugs includes tablets and syrups - ACC, Bromhexine.
  3. Expectorants increase the volume of fluid released, clear the airways, and help a person cough up mucus. These include Prospan, Ambroxol.

Know! If the prescribed medications do not provide relief after a week of use, the doctor may recommend another method of therapy. Sometimes only antibiotics help, but they are prescribed according to strict indications.

Additionally, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, antivirals. To support immunity, you should take vitamin complexes.

Treatment with traditional methods

You can supplement the main therapy with recipes from traditional medicine. Medicinal herbal teas help a lot:

  1. 1 tbsp. l. dried coltsfoot grass is poured with a glass of boiling water. Leave for a quarter of an hour, then filter through a double layer of gauze or a fine sieve. Take 1 tsp orally. up to 4 times a day.
  2. 2 tbsp. l. The herbs of plantain, elecampane, wild rosemary and thyme are added to boiling water. After a couple of minutes, remove the pan from the stove and cover with a lid. After 2 hours, the broth is passed through a sieve or gauze. It is recommended to use the infusion 1 tbsp. l. every 6 hours.
  3. The black radish is washed well and a hole is made on its surface. A small amount of fresh honey is added to the hole. After 30–60 minutes, the juice that appears in the hole is poured into a spoon and drunk.
  4. 0.5 tbsp. l. lemon juice mixed with 1 tbsp. l. honey Add a little warm water and mix thoroughly. Take on a full stomach 4-5 times a day.

It should be remembered that pregnant women may have contraindications. And this applies not only to pharmaceutical drugs. Some types of foods should also not be consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. You can find out about acceptable methods of folk or traditional treatment from your doctor.