Hi my boyfriend has this cough every so often that sends off a bad smell and I don t think he notices it but to me it s terrible. He smokes and has for years but he didn t seem to get this smell until this past winter so I don t know if it has to do with his smoking or something else. Also when he does cough he sometimes has big chunks of mucus come up. He thinks it s nothing but I m worried it s serious or could become something serious.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your boyfriends situation and problem. Since he is a chronic smoker, possibility of either bronchitis or lung infection is high. So better to consult pulmonologist and get done 1. Clinical examination of respiratory system 2. Chest x-ray 3. PUT (Pulmonary Function Test). Chest x-ray is needed to rule out lung infection. PFT is must for the diagnosis of bronchitis. It will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment of bronchitis is based on severity only. He may need antibiotics, antihistamines, inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Smoking cessation is must for him. So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health health to your boyfriend. Thanks.