Normal Cold or Something Else?

[NN8181]

So my dad caught the cold and got me sick. At first I had a sore throat and then later congestion in chest and nose. I feel like its getting worse now(its been a week); it's getting harder to breathe usually in the morning or at night, I took all kinds of medicine to get rid of mucus but it doesn't come out barely, and now the left side of my throat is hurting. Is this a regular cold getting worse or something else?

[jemma116]

You should make an appointment to see your doctor to listen to your lungs and look at your throat and ears.

It does sound like you have an infection in the lungs, tonsils and sinuses.
The doctor will examine you and will prescribe an antibiotic if he feels this is a bacterial infection.  Antibiotics will not make you feel any better if your condition is caused by a viral infection.  Your doctor may also prescribe a nasal spray.

At home do steam inhalations; this will help to unblock your sinuses and tubes.
Pour very hot water into a bowl and add some Vick or olbas oil.  Bend your head over the bowl and cover your head and bowl with a towel and breathe in the steam through your nose and out through your mouth.  Take care not to get scalded.  Do this 4 times a day for a duration of 10 minutes.

You can also apply some Vick to your neck, chest and back area if you like.
You can buy medicated throat lozenges to soothe your throat and have a warm drink with fresh lemon and honey mixed in water.  This will also help to soothe your throat.

Hope you start to feel better soon.

[MomLPN]

You probably did indeed catch a cold from your dad. However, it sounds like you now have a seconday infection, probably a sinus infection. Your sinuses are likely also swollen, and that is while they feel so congested but you dont get much of anything out. A cold SHOULD start to get better after about 4 days. Since it has been 7 days and you are feeling worse, not better, it is my opinion that you need to see a doctor to get an antibiotic. Hope you feel better soon.