Is my flu turning into Bronchitis?

Dear Ask The Doctor: Dear Dr, I am currently on my last day of Augmentin that was perscribed to me by my GP. Initially my throat was infected (red and sore) and I had fever etc (assume it was flu). However when I woke up this morning my voice was gone, and it suddenly feels like I have a lot of phlem to cough up, however it hurts to cough. Should I be concerned and return to the doctor, or is this normal and go away once I am over the flu?

Dear Karen:

I understand how worried you are about your persistent cough and phlegm. Let me reassure you that your doctor prescribed an antibiotic to treat a probable bacterial infection of your upper respiratory tract.

After completing the course of antibiotics, usually the cough is the last symptom to disappear due to the fact that is a natural mechanism that the body uses to expectorate. The phlegm is composed of water, dead bacteria and white blood cells. I would suggest you not to take cough syrups yet and increase the fluid intake especially warm to help dilute and clean your lungs of the mucus. I wish you a prompt recovery.