Prolonged respiratrory infection

[MF0355]

I am a 36 year old, non smoking, in good shape, generally healthy male.  I have asthma, which is very controlled, almost a non factor in my life.  It seems over recent years usually in December I come down with a sore throat, which migrates to a cold and eventually to my lungs, where it remains at times for up to 3 months.  I usually try 2-3 antibiotics which do not seem to help at all.  Eventually I stop taking medications, and the infection clears up, but agian, it can take up to 3 months.  The primary symptom is a harsh cough, with mucus.  Chest X-rays have been taken at times and are negative.  I had a positive PPD so they checked sputem samples for TB which were negative.  Essentially, my pulomonologist and PCP can offer me nothing in terms of explanation or medication.  

It's not pneumonia or TB, and the lungs are clear, no wheazing, yet the cough is intense and mucus present.  Antibiotics are not effective.  I've eliminated allergies as well.  Could it be viral or fungral and a different antibiotic needed.  What type of tests and or medications should I be asking for from my doctor.  I can not continue to lose 1/4 of my year with this illness.

Thank you.

[worriewort]

I am a 39 year old healthy woman.  On Halloween, I started a cough,wheezing. I had no fever at all. Dr's did a x-ray, lungs showed nothing but acute bronchitis.  They put me on abuterol & antibiotics. That didn't help, so another dr gave me Qvar, said I had asthma.   I was referred to an allergist. He said I have post-nasal drip (sinisitis) and GERD (acid reflex) and took me off Qvar, as that is for asthma, which he said I do not have from the results of a breathing test he gave me, was above the normal range. And gave me flonase and Mucinex, and some medicine for the GERD.  So I've stopped that but still have some phelgm and sometimes when I laugh I cough a bit.

My sister had something similar and it lasted 12 weeks.

Has anyone experienced something like this? If so, what kind of treatment did you receive?  I had this last December and it lasted for 10 weeks.

I do not smoke.  

Thanks.

[heartstart]

If it is viral then antibiots don't do a thing.
Have you had your annual flutox injection, you might find that lessens you chance of catching "colds" it did with me.
I was wondering about post nasal drip too, draining into the lungs, and that will make you cough.
Antihystamines for a week would definately rule out allergies, definately worth a try again.
Paracetamol at the max daily limit 'dries' up the drainage (into the lungs) and is always a good thing to commence when a 'cold' starts. Senega and Amonia might help with the mucus. I found if i started taking courses of antibiotics too soon then i didn't get better either until i stopped taking them.
Good luck.