Severe cough following cold.

[SeraphisCain]

About 2 weeks ago I had a moderate cold (fever, chills, cough, runny nose) and have since gotten over it. However, I have had a persistent cough ever since the other symptoms went away. Sometimes it gets so severe that I can't breathe right, and it's woken me up in the middle of the night a few times now. It's a productive cough, not dry. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do? Do I get it checked, or wait it out? Thanks!

[Ratatosk]

Could just be a run of the mill virus/cough; however, one of the symptoms of whooping cough (pertussis) is that it starts with a cold, runny nose, slight fever, then turns into a bad cough a couple of weeks later. Whooping cough is apparently making a come back. It's a bacterial infection that is very contagious and requires antibiotics.

[cmmm47]

I agree. Anytime someone says they have some trouble breathing or a productive cough then they need to be assessed for pneumonia or bronchitis. If you smoke is there any way you can quit for a few weeks. If you are over 50 it is especially important that you go see your doctor or nurse practitioner. Antibiotics may be very appropriate for you at this time. Depending on your financial and insurance status I would ask for a chest xray to detect pneumonia. If the doctor wont do it, well the antibiotics should take care of you. In my area they often use Amoxicillin but Septra DS and many other antibiotics can work too. I would tell the doctor or nurse I have to get in before XMas. Oh if you are allergic to Penicillin they wont give you Amoxicillin but something else. Do you have any other heart or lung problems?

[2tiredmom]

Sounds like what I usually get. Bronchitis. I start out with a "simple" cold and it turns into bronchitis. Awful cough (productive) with shortness of breath. Probably need to get checked out by a doctor. Any fever?