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Jebidiahcrackercorn: 11 months ago

What is the difference between a common cold and pneumonia?

I have developed a real bad cough and am now hacking stuff up from my chest. My body has some aching and my energy is almost sapped. Something is not right, however I'm not about to panic, but I am curious: How do you know if what you have might require hospitalization? I have heard if you are hacking phlegm up that is so green it practically glows in the dark. I haven't reached that point yet, but the coughs are so damn painful.

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Answer 1

gatorblu: 11 months ago

Colds are viruses,and generally speaking phlegm for viruses are white or clear. If your are hacking up green (or yellow) phlegm you have more than likely have a bacterial infection. Time to go to the doctor and get some antibiotics.

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Jebidiahcrackercorn: 11 months ago

Thank you for your answer.

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Answer 2

cellison: 11 months ago via iPhone

Go to the doctor and get it checked out. Sounds like it could possibly be pneumonia . Better to be safe than sorry? Do you have a fever?

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Jebidiahcrackercorn: 11 months ago

I don't think I have fever. But sometime when I was sleeping I think I might have had an unusual amount of moisture (sweat) on my arms and chest. I'll see if I can find a thermometer somewhere.

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Jebidiahcrackercorn: 11 months ago

I found a thermometer and it read 98 degrees which I don't think is a serious temperature rise. It is interesting because I certainly do not feel hot. I feel freaking COLD and it is slightly above room temp.

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cellison: 11 months ago via iPhone

98.6 is a normal temperature. The sweating and feeling cold and chilled does sound like symptoms if fever.
You can run a vaporizer and rub some Vicks on your chest at nighttime, but you really should get to the doctor as soon as possible. You may need antibiotics. Hope you feel better soon!

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Answer 3

Chill1967: 11 months ago

It sounds as though you've passed beyond the common cold into what could be bronchitis Jeb! And could turn into pneumonia if not treated! You should see your doctor!

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Jebidiahcrackercorn: 11 months ago

Thank you. Right now I'm feeling pretty damn tired and achy to do much.

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Jebidiahcrackercorn: 11 months ago

Something like this has happened before except the coughs weren't so painful. I often just ignored the discomfort and waited for the thing to just go away. Now I'm wondering if that was some sort of mistake.

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Chill1967: 11 months ago

D O C T O R ! :). You men.....SMH......what are we gonna do with ya? LOL!
Take care of yourself, & go to the dr dude!! ;). Sounds like it's going to take some meds to kick it this time!!

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Answer 4

BrianWilloughby: 11 months ago via Android

one difference is you could die from pneumonia.

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Jebidiahcrackercorn: 11 months ago

Yeah I know, but how does one know if one is coming down with it?

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Answer 5

BadB: 11 months ago via iPhone

Maybe you have bronchitis, or the flu because I had the same symptoms as you and now it's almost 1 month later and I still hacking stuff up.

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Jebidiahcrackercorn: 11 months ago

A month? Damn that is hard core man! I'm not sure I can tolerate what I'm going through for another couple of days!

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