Continuing Cough

Hello
I was diagnosed with lobar pneumonia on Dec 23rd 2001 and was prescribed a five-day supply of Zythromax. The fever has left and so has the weakness but I continue till this day to cough, albeit with less frequency. I am still bringing up mucous and have detected a foul smell on my breath specifically when I cough. Is this normal? Is there a residual amount of the bacteria still in my lungs and should I be worried? Is there a risk that one of my lungs is "packed" and permanent damage may have been caused? Any ideas?

Thank you

Mim

[National Jewish]

Since you were treated with an antibiotic more than a month ago, the pneumonia should have gone away.  The symptoms that you have described suggest that there is still some infection.
Please check with your doctor to determine the cause of your continuing symptoms and the most helpful treatment.  For further information, please read our Pneumonia MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/pneumonia.html.