A member asked:

How to tell if coughing up light green mucus warrants antibiotic along with tightness in chest and using inhaler at night. no fever, clear nasal mucus?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. David Lipkin answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

See below: Coughing up green or yellow mucus is most often due to a viral upper respiratory illness (common cold) with bronchitis(which is almost always viral). This won't respond to antibiotics. Coughing up green/yellow mucus can also be a sign of pneumonia, in which case the patient often has a high fever, possible chest pain on breathing and shortness of breath, and feels quite ill. Pneumonia requires Rx

Answered 7/14/2015

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