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Lungs
Overview Treatment
Cough
Home Care: Here are some tips to help ease your cough: Cough lozenges or hard candy can help dry, tickling coughs. These should never be given to a child under 3 years old because they may cause choking. A vaporizer or steamy shower may help a dry cough by increasing the humidity in the air. Drink extra fluids to help thin the secretions in your throat and make them easier to cough up. Medications available without a prescription include: Guaifenesin (like Robitussin) can help you bring up mucus. Drink lots of fluids if you take this medicine. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can be used to clear a runny nose and postnasal drip. These should not be used if you have high blood pressure or for a child under 6 years old, unless prescribed by your doctor. Text Continues Below Although coughing can be a troubling symptom, it is usually your body's way of healing. Recent expert recommendations advise against using cough suppressants in many situations. You may want to talk to your doctor before trying over-the-counter cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan (Vicks 44, Robitussin DM). Do not expect a doctor to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections like colds or flu. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Antibiotics also will not help coughs from allergies. Call your health care provider if: Call 911 if you have: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Hives or swollen face or throat with difficulty swallowing Call your doctor right away if you have: Violent cough that begins suddenly High-pitched sound (called stridor) when inhaling Cough that produces blood Fever (may indicate a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics) Thick, foul-smelling, yellowish-green phlegm (may indicate a bacterial infection) A history of heart disease, swelling in your legs, or a cough that worsens when you lie down (may indicate congestive heart failure) Exposure to someone with tuberculosis Unintentional weight loss or night sweats (may also indicate tuberculosis) Cough longer than 10-14 days Cough in an infant less than 3 months old What to expect at your health care provider's office: Page:  1 | 2 | 3 | Next >>