Definitions
Sputum
When to make a doctor’s appointment
Make an appointment to see a doctor if:
- Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm
- Wheezing
- Fever for more than a day
Self-care
Use a vaporizer or steam inhalation. Drink plenty of liquids to help thin mucus in the throat. Warm liquids can help soothe the throat.
When to seek immediate medical care
See a doctor immediately if:
- Choking
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Coughing up bloody or pink-tinged phlegm
When to make a doctor's appointment
Make an appointment to see a doctor if:
- Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm
- Wheezing
- Fever for more than a day