how to tell the difference between post nasal drip and lung infections?
597020
Post nasal drip is due infection of sinuses resulting in excess secretions that leave the posterior aperture of nose and stick to the back of throat.\n\nLung infection is infection of lung ..what's there to explain ?? :P\n\nthe 2 can be differentiated by the discomfort - in the nose in sinus infection & chest in lung infection ; dry cough in sinus infection and usually cough with sputum in lung infection. Even thought there's a need to clear the throat in post-nasal drip but there's never cough along with sputum.
751750
if you cough up any congestion and it has color too it (especially darker green or yellow) you may have a bacteria infection.  you can try decongestants like phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine.  you could just have congestion and sinus problems, but if you cough up colored stuff you likely have an infection.
879534
I guess I missed the question but assume you are looking for a diagnosis....It is hard to say could be aspiration pneuminia but that is much more common in the right mid lobe of the lung vs left.  Does the patient have a history of smoking or working in a coal mine or with asbestos?  You need to present all of the info here if you are expecting help.  HOw was the temperature taken?  if it was rectal then it isn't such a high fever, but if that is axilary then you add a degree which makes the situation more concerning.  The resp rate is high so you should have given oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 liters per minute as comfort due to shortness of breath.  What did the nail beds look like...pink or dusky?  Is the person dehydrated and in need of IV fluid or just IV antibiotics to help decrease the fever?  And just because the person has Alzheimers does not mean they are not still a person, you can still talk to them and ask them questions, they sometimes have lucid moments.  Also, the family should be able to give you oral history or you could even call the nursing home.  Some patients have been at long term care for years and the staff get to know them pretty well.  Good luck, I hope I helped..........P.S.  I am a nurse in long term care.
692143
Jesus, is everyone paranoid or what!!! Sounds like you have a bit of a head cold with a snotty nose.  Seems like your feeling ok apart from having to blow your nose a bit more.  You are unlikely to have an infection that can be treated by antibiotics if you don't have temperature. I'm sure your nose will be back to normal in a few days.
916532
well if there is blood it could be pneumonia or it could just be an infection..due to the fact that it is this bad, and blood involved, I would say you need an antibiotic, and I would definatly make an appointment.
568695
boogers, phlegm, slimy nasal mucus discharge
318344
Alleric cough is usually caused by allergic rhinitis and post nasal drip which irritates the throat causing a dry cough. Take an antihistamine or prescription allergy med and a corticosteroid nasal spray.
182125
My knowledge of Malay isn't the best but my translation of this is that it is probably 2 questions:\n1) What is the management of a patient (who is a smoker) who has pneumonia if no germ has been identified yet?\n2) How long does it take for the patient to feel better if a chest drain has been inserted for a pleural effusion?\n\nAnswers:\n1) Give broad spectrum antibiotics, preferably IV, until the blood cultures have returned\n2) Usually within a few hours the patient will be less short of breath if the chest drain is effective in draining the effusion
829695
I have had many sinus infections in my life and I have never had pain with any of them. I sometimes though get occasional sinus headaches, or pressure behind my eyes and or teeth, but not pain. Probably because our sinuses are cavities (empty spaces). My children too have had sinus infections, and experienced pressure or headaches, but not pain. Your son's cough could be due to drainage even though it sounds dry and non-productive, but it could also be from all the antihistamines he's on, he could be dried out. My kids doctors have always said for sinus cavities they needed to be on an antibiotic for up to 21 days, because those types of infections are harder to clear up due to there reclusive location. The cough sounds deep because he coughs so much, plus the meds he's on could be aggravating instead of helping. My daughter coughed more when on meds than when off. She didn't do well on zyrtec, or singular, she didn't try Qvar. Try a postnasal drip cough drop. If it works then his cough is more than likely due to drainage, and if not you may need to try a new med like a nasal spray, and perhaps discontinue oral meds. My kids both do flonase nasal spray to help with allergies. It doesn't stop all allergens but it helps. It is so hard to know what to do. I always overreacted and had my children on every medicine possible. Now I regret it because looking back I think a lot of the medicines aggravated the situation more than they helped, but I over treated because I was afraid if I didn't my daughter would once again end up in a hospital, which she did for asthma quite often. Anyway, I hope I haven't made it worse for you. It can be so draining when our kids are sick. Good luck, and I hope your son gets to feeling better real soon. Hugs.
323077
Could be Bronchitis, maybe Pleurisy. You could go to your doc and get a chest xray. This will show any fluids, and enlargements, however pleurisy will not show on an xray. Your doc can tell if you have pleurisy by listening to your lungs. Pleurisy usually is a one sided pain though. Sounds like some kind a respiratory infection. Good Luck!
367462
a sign of sinus infection/nasal cavity inflammation.
948507
Are you using a nasal spray ?\nIf yes, the taste could be from the spray that drops back to the throat.\nIf not, it could be a post-nasal drip of mucus from the nose. Check also to see if you nose is bleeding since you 'blew your nose real good' an hour ago. This may damage the nasal membrane and causes nose bleed and the blood can drop into the throat.\nGargle with water may help.\nIf you cold does not get better soon. Check with your doctor.
928827
How old is your son? (Could be "mono" if he's a teenager). Did they do any throat/NP cultures? Any respiratory symptoms? What was the differential cell count? This time of year (depending on where you live) respiratory viruses get started. If it is a virus, antibiotics won't help. If it's something like strep throat or "walking pneumonia" then antibiotics will kick it pretty quickly. Could also be a secondary bacterial infection following a viral infection. Just make sure he takes the whole course of the antibiotics - failure to do so is one of the leading causes of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Good luck!!
685967
Have you been checked for a sinus infection?\n\nSinus infection, or sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. A sinus infection can cause a headache or pressure in the eyes, nose, cheek area, or on one side of the head\nHome care can help open the sinuses and alleviate their dryness. \n\n\n\nPromote drainage \n\n\nDrink plenty of water and hydrating beverages. Hot tea is often recommended. \n\n\nInhale steam 2-4 times per day by leaning over a bowl of boiling hot water (not while the water is on the stove) or using a steam vaporizer with a towel over the head and bowl to prevent the escape of the steam. Inhale the steam for about 10 minutes. Taking a hot, steamy shower may also work. Mentholated preparations, such as Vicks Vapo-Rub, can be added to the water or vaporizer to aid in opening the passageways. \n\n\nThin the mucus: Expectorants are drugs that help to expel mucus from the lungs and respiratory passages. They help to thin mucous secretions, enhancing drainage from the sinuses. The most common is guaifenesin (contained in Robitussin, for example). Over-the-counter (OTC) liquid cough medications or prescription tablets can also combine decongestants and cough suppressants to reduce symptoms as well as to eliminate the need for the use of many medications. Read label ingredients to find the right combination of ingredients or ask the pharmacist for help. \n\n\nRelieve pain: Pain medication such as ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil are examples), aspirin, and acetaminophen (Tylenol is in this category) can reduce pain and inflammation. These medications help to open the airways by reducing swelling.
306959
I think you mean pneumonia...ammonia is a chemical, and a bad one at that!\n\nIt means his lungs are filling up with fluid, but not to the point or at a rate that is life threatening enough to render him ambulatory.  Meaning he can walk around while he recovers.  He'll be coughing up stuff for awhile, but eventually he'll recover...unless he stresses himself into full blown pneumonia.
830798
I cant give you details about the sinus problem but what I can say with certainty is that a sinus problem can cause what is called a post nasal drip.  This means that excretions from the sinuses drip down the back of the throat causing a tickle and a cough.
944585
could be bronchitis, if so they can be treated with antibiotics by a doctor