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@sueinmn

If your cough is viral in nature, like from Covid, a Z-pack or another antibiotic will not help. If you have a bacterial infection causing your cough, an antibiotic might help, but...Z-pack, aka Azithromycin, is a "big gun" in the doctor's tool box, and a lesser medication might be helpful.

Overuse of Z-packs and other antibiotics, which people frequently pick up in Mexico & other places and keep on hand "just in case" or give to family and friends who don't feel well, is causing more bacteria to become antibiotic-resistant, while doing nothing to cure the virus that is causing the illness.

Feeling better is often coincidental because viruses often clear on their own in 3-7 days, about the time most people begin taking an antibiotic. On the other hand, if you have a bacterial infection that needs treatment, you are usually getting worse after a week or so and should call or see the doctor.

Has your cough interfered with your daily routine or made you short of breath? Have you called the doctor's office for advice?
Sue

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Replies to "If your cough is viral in nature, like from Covid, a Z-pack or another antibiotic will..."

Thanks, @sueinmn I just sent a message to my doctor on the portal. It would be nice to know if what I had was Covid but I think you have to test for that while it is still active, although I am not sure.

I generally use the portal rather than calling because then the doctor gets MY message rather than what the person I speak to on the phone presents to her. Unfortunately though, the portal at the hospital where my current PCP is, is not a very good one. I like the doctor but the portal is a big problem. I hope I will hear back by tomorrow. The other hospitals I deal with, MGH and two other hospitals, have so much better portals and I get much quicker responses, usually within a very short amount of time.
JK