I've been sick for over three weeks, with a bad cough,

Hello. Thank you for your question. I am a board certified internal medicine physician, trained in the US, and hold an unrestricted medical license.

May I assist you?

I have read your case scenario.

The side effects you listed are very common for clarithromycin

According to the package insert for the drug, dysgeusia or abnormal taste occurs 3—7% of time

upset stomach (also called dyspepsia) occurs about 5% of time

What did they diagnose you with?

bronchitis?

what other medical problems do you have?

do you take any medications?

do you smoke?

Also, have you taken your temperature? If so how high is it?

Also, what color is your sputum (phlegm)?

OK, so "subjective" fevers.

When was the last time you were examined? That is, someone listened to your lungs with stethoscope?

OK, glad you got an X-ray to rule out a pneumonia

OK so now the issue is symptom relief

I recommend patients with similar symptoms to take acetaminophen 1000 mg every 6 hours scheduled

and take ibuprofen 400 mg every 4 hours for breakthrough symptoms

guafenesin(###) ###-####mg every 12 hours to loosen mucus

Hydrate. 1-2 L of water per day

yes you can definitely take them together

they work differently

And rest

avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine

not in the US. its over the counter here

not sure about in Italy

probably over the counter there I would imagine

That is an odd choice for someone without a history of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma

did they hear wheezing on your exam?

I do not prescribe that in my practice for patients without COPD or asthma

for bronchitis

it won't hurt you

but you should probably be tested for asthma with pulmonary function tests once this illness resolves

in like 4-6 weeks

to look for evidence of adult onset asthma

take it twice daily. its not a PRN medication

OK. I think it would be a good idea to get pulmonary function testing/spirometry performed then

once you recover

right now that testing would not be of value

what other questions do you have?

Just practice good hand hygiene

and those around you should do same

cover your mouth when you cough

that should be enough

shouldn't be a problem, but I do not have the luxury of seeing you in person. so I can't give you an exact answer

I tell the patients I see in clinic with bronchitis they may return to work

get a thermometer and take your temperature when it happens

if you have a temperature of 100.4 for more than an hour

or 101 any time you should seek medical care

otherwise, treat "subjective" fevers as above

Thank you. Are you satisfied with the answers to your questions?

I really enjoyed working with you – please feel free to request me again when you
come back to ask another question.

Please bookmark/add as a favorite the link below for any future questions.
You can contact me directly in the future at:
http://www.justanswer.com/medical/expert-intmeddoc/