coughing up brownish phlegm

[stllalr]

A couple of weeks ago I had a head cold, but every since then I have been coughing up this brownish phelgm stuff.  At night when I lay down I can hear my self breath like a rattle or something from my chest.  I feel ok I guess except this stupid cough and yucky stuff and it leaves a horrible taste in my mouth.  What should I do to get rid of this? Should I be worried because I don't thik I have ever had this before and I am now 30.

[National Jewish Health]

Sounds like you may have infectious acute bronchitis.  Brown phlegm and the "horrible taste" suggest that your infection may be bacterial.  Being a non-smoker, this bronchitis will most likely resolve on its own.  However, the resolution of your illness and symptoms would probably be hastened by treatment with an antibiotic.

[stllalr]

I forgot to mention that I am a non-smoker -- I haven't ever smoked.