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An online symptoms checker shows my cough with phlegm to be pneumonia. Is it true?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am 18 years old male. I have cough without expectoration for the past five to six days. A tiny amount of phlegm came with my cough today. The severity of coughing has reduced compared to the initial two days. Sometimes when I breathe out while lying down, I can hear and feel the phlegm coming up and blocking my airway. I do not have any other symptoms. I took hay fever medication for the past two days and tablet Ibuprofen for muscle soreness from exercise. Online symptom diagnosis tool shows that I have bacterial pneumonia, but I do not have a fever, chills, chest pain, or any other symptoms. My phlegm is very light yellowish but mostly white. The only sign I have is a cough with a little bit of phlegm. What should I do?

Kindly help.
Answered by Dr. Sugreev Singh

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sugreev Singh is an experienced General Surgeon with expertise in Internal Medicine and General Medicine. He is skilled in performing a wide range of surgical procedures and managing complex medical conditions with a holistic approach. Known for his clinical precision and compassionate care, Dr. Singh is dedicated to delivering effective, patient-centered treatment to promote long-term health and recovery.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for writing, and I understand your concern.

Sir, actually cough with phlegm is seen in respiratory infection only, and most probably it is caused by bacterial or viral infection. Hence you have been diagnosed to have bacterial pneumonia. The actual diagnosis of pneumonia requires a chest X-ray. The infection you have might be an acute respiratory tract infection without pneumonia.

Since you have a cough with phlegm, I suggest you take antibiotics. Before starting with the medicines, are you allergic to any antibiotics, and have you taken any antibiotics recently?

To make a clear diagnosis for pneumonia, I suggest you to take CBC test (complete blood count) and a chest X-ray.

Thank you.

The Probable causes

Infection.

Investigations to be done

CBC and chest X-ray.

Differential diagnosis

Pneumonia.

Probable diagnosis

Cough with phlegm.

Preventive measures

Please drink lukewarm water only.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At August 4, 2021
Reviewed At July 3, 2023

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sugreev Singh is an experienced General Surgeon with expertise in Internal Medicine and General Medicine. He is skilled in performing a wide range of surgical procedures and managing complex medical conditions with a holistic approach. Known for his clinical precision and compassionate care, Dr. Singh is dedicated to delivering effective, patient-centered treatment to promote long-term health and recovery.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sugreev Singh
Dr. Sugreev Singh

Internal Medicine

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sugreev Singh is an experienced General Surgeon with expertise in Internal Medicine and General Medicine. He is skilled in performing a wide range of surgical procedures and managing complex medical conditions with a holistic approach. Known for his clinical precision and compassionate care, Dr. Singh is dedicated to delivering effective, patient-centered treatment to promote long-term health and recovery.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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