I’ve had this terrible cough for approximately the last 4-5days, I’m coughing up a thick clear to yelowish mucus…I cough almost constantly, it could start off as a small cough and go to an aggressive cough to the point my eyes are very watery and I cough up this mucus and maybe even vomit. This cough has been interrupting my sleep. I’ve tried to take a regular cough drop and also taken a sinus congestion and pain over the counter meds that has helped much. I also have a very very slight runny nose. Now my chest hurts and my throat is irritated…what could this possibly be?

The differential diagnosis of a cough is wide ranging but the causes can be divided into infectious and noninfectious. Noninfectious causes include asthma exacerbations, chronic bronchitis, and allergies. In your case, it appears to be more of an infectious cause and the differential includes: pneumonia, upper respiratory infections, or pertussis (whooping cough).
If the cough persists or gets worse, then an evaluation by your primary care physician is warranted. Office tests including chest xrays, throat swabs, and blood tests for specific antigens can determine the cause of your cough. However, some physicians may choose to treat empyrically with antibiotics based on the presentation of symptoms.