Persistent cough and antibiotics not working

[Chickenandpenguin]

Hi
I've had a productive cough for about 8 weeks now, I went to the doctors finally last week and he diagnosed s chest infection and gave me antibiotics. I'm 2 tablets always from the end of the course and it's no better. I'm also 6-8 weeks pregnant so am on a pregnancy friendly AB. Is it worth going back to the doctor or just waiting to see what happens? It's not sore, just irritating and I'm slightly worried about the fact I still have it. He said he would've sent me for a chest x Ray were I not pregnant as standard practice for a persistent cough.
Is there anyway it could just be pregnancy related and nothing sinister? I'm very snotty (sorry) could it just be a result of that? I'm worried it's something more serious.

[FadedRed123]

Hi Chicken. Congrats of the pregnancy. As you are young enough to be pg then your cough is very unlikely to be sinister, especially if you 'well' apart from your chest infection. Most likely due to your 'snottiness', it is a Post-nasal drip' when the mucus is dripping down the nasopharynx and irritating the upper respiratory tract and making you cough. Unless you have any other symptoms that are worrying you, then give it more time.

[pinkfrocks]

Coughs can take 8 weeks or more to go and most are post-viral which means ABs won't have any effect.
Even with a chest infection, ABs have been shown to be not especially effective. You need to give it more time because it's unlikely ABs will do any good at all.

[Chickenandpenguin]

Thanks for the replies. I have a big suggestion it's a post nasal drip cough caused by being extra snotty thanks to pregnancy. I did bring that up with doctor but he thought AB might shift the chest infection. I think it's done that as I'm less rattley. How long would you leave it? Or would you say just a case of seeing if it gets worse or not?

[FadedRed123]

As long as you are otherwise 'well', then 3 weeks, although some of my patients have had this years post viral cough for 6 weeks+. However if you get any other symptoms, raised temperature, pain, green or rusty sputum, in fact anything that worries you then get checked by GP or Midwife.
Hope you get better soon.

[EmNetta]

I've had something similar (apart from pregnancy) for a long time, on and off, recently diagnosed as post nasal drip. GP's suggested using steamer, or even a bowl and cloth, and this usually clears it, particularly if I add a pinch of sage or thyme to the hot water.
Now I usually get out the steamer to finish off a cold, and am sure it's safe in pregnancy. Good luck.