Is having phlegm in the throat a sign of novel pneumonia?

The throat refers to the pharynx, and novel pneumonia refers to infection with the novel coronavirus. The presence of phlegm in the throat does not necessarily indicate a novel coronavirus infection. If the patient has recently been in contact with an infected individual, phlegm in the throat may be related to novel coronavirus infection; however, if there has been no recent exposure to infected individuals, it is likely not caused by the novel coronavirus. It is recommended to visit a hospital to determine the underlying cause and follow medical advice for treatment. The analysis is as follows:

If the patient has recently been exposed to an infected person and also experiences symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and dry cough—especially if these symptoms are severe—it could be due to novel coronavirus infection.

If the patient has not had contact with confirmed or suspected cases of novel coronavirus infection, has not recently traveled to areas with high rates of transmission, and has no other typical symptoms of novel pneumonia—such as fever, fatigue, or dry cough—besides having phlegm in the throat, the phlegm is likely caused by other common illnesses rather than novel coronavirus infection.

If infection has already occurred, it is recommended that patients promptly follow medical advice and use medications such as Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Ganmaoling granules, or antiviral oral liquid for treatment.