Patient's question:
Diagnosed with vocal cord nodules and polyps after a laryngoscopy. Due to my profession as a teacher, I still have polyps in my throat. Recently, I developed a fever and cough. I took cold medicine, cough syrup, and had an anti-inflammatory shot. The fever subsided, but the cough persists and has even worsened, with blood streaks appearing in my phlegm.Previous Treatment and Effects:
Previous treatments such as inhalation therapy, soaking in traditional Chinese medicine, and taking anti-inflammatory drugs were ineffective.
Desired Help:
Is the current condition serious? What can be done to stop the cough?
Doctor's answer:
Long-term, recurring cough, especially coughing up blood, should be checked for the cause. If it's a common fever and the symptoms are not severe, medication is not necessary. If the cough is caused by lung infection, treatment should be administered targeting the pathogen that causes pneumonia. Inhalation methods can be used to deliver medication to enhance its absorption. If the cough is caused by asthma (cough-variant asthma), most patients are treated with inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators. Severe cases may require oral medication. If the cough is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, acid reflux should be suppressed.