Hey Lori,

I was diagnosed with a chest infection last Sunday and was given Keflex, generally when I have antibiotics it only takes a day or two for symptoms to get better, but it wasn't until about day 5 that I started to feel a bit better. I finished the antibiotics on Saturday.

It is now Monday and I am quite a lot better for the most part, but I still every now and again am getting this rattle when I breath out, it is like (sorry TMI) it feels like too much phlegm is stuck to my chest and I cant get it off. I cough and cough (which makes me dizzy LOL), and it eventually comes up, but the question is do you think I need another repeat of antibiotics, or should this just clear up now. My back hurts so much from coughing.

How long should I wait till I go back? Or do these things generally take time?

Thanks!

Along the eeewww gross line... when you do finally cough something up, what color is it? If white or clear, you're ok. If it's green, yellow, brown, etc, go back to the doctor and get another round of antibiotics. Levaquin is usually VERY effective for respiratory infections, but Keflex works, too. As for the continued chest congestion, you should be taking an expectorant like Mucinex, Robitussin (plain, not DM) or anything with guifenasin (sp?) in it. That will loosen up the congestion and help you to cough it out. Drink plenty of liquids (water or juice, no caffeine) to help liquify the congestion as well. The cough, unfortunately, may stick around for a couple of weeks after the infection clears up. Those airways get irritated and inflamed from the infection, and it takes awhile for them to quit being so reactive.

Feel better soon, Rachel! You guys deserve a break from all of this illness!!!:hug:

Thanks Lori, then I think I will be OK. It is sometimes yellow, but for the main part white. I am getting blocked sinus again, this has only started happenning recently but when I get a cold etc... I get sinus problems. But I do think in all I am getting better in all.

I did try and expectorant, we have senega and ammonia, OMG that tastes foul, my GP is a bit old fashioned, last time I had something like this I used it, it does work, but yuk! I am sure there are newer better things on the market.

Thanks again, I will let you know if it flares up again. Oh and the fun? Parker is now sick with it LOL

UGH! You guys need to decon that house of yours! I hope this is over quickly for both of you. Then NO MORE sickness! Leave that stuff in Aussieland before you come over here.:sad5: