I have been coughing up yellow sputum for about a week now. I

I have been coughing up yellow sputum for about a week now. I am also blowing large amounts of thick yellow mucus out of my nose. It has gotten to the point where when I cough, the sputum is so thick that it causes me to gag and throw up. I also sometimes have shortness of breath, but this usually goes away on its own. I have not had a fever at all, only some body aches and fatigue from the coughing. Is this something I should be seeing a doctor about soon?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Any time there is colored sputum (other than clear or white) it is to be considered as an infection. Many of these infections are viral and would not repsond to the usual drugs (antibiotics) that are given for the "common cold." You would need an anitviral and the docs don't often give those as the viral infection tends to be self-limiting.
The fact that your secretions are so thick, would suggest that you need some sort of treatment.
I suggest that you do see your doctor and he can evalutate labwork and perhaps a sputum culture to see if you have a viral or a bacterial infection. Bacterial infections should almost always be treated with antibiotics.
In the meantime, drinking lots of fluids will help to liquify the secretions so that they will come up easier. NO smoking! Take some guaifenesin to help to thin the secretions. If the breathing is tight or you have a wheezing sound when you inhale deeply or at the end of a cough, you should get something for bronchospasm - this would be a prescription for pills or an inhaled drug.

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