What should you know about cough due to colds?

A common cold can inflame the nose, throat and breathing tubes. Mucus draining backwards and sensitive airway nerves may produce a tickly or chesty cough. A blocked or runny nose, sore throat, sneezing and tiredness often accompany it. The cough may change as mucus loosens. A cough that is severe, unusually prolonged, recurrent, or associated with wheezing may have another explanation such as acute bronchitis, asthma, reflux or an underlying airway condition.

Rest, drink fluids and use warm drinks to soothe the throat. Saline nasal spray or rinsing can help clear nasal mucus; follow product instructions and use safe water for rinsing. Avoid cigarette smoke and other airway irritants. Ask a pharmacist which symptom medicines suit your age, pregnancy status and existing conditions. Antibiotics do not treat the viruses that cause ordinary colds, so do not start leftover medicine without clinical advice.

Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, confusion, coughing blood or chest pain that is severe or persistent. Arrange a medical review if fever is concerning, symptoms worsen after initial improvement, the cough prevents sleep or daily activity, or it continues beyond the expected recovery period. Babies, older adults and people with lung or immune conditions may need earlier advice.

Does this cough fit a cold, or should we check for another cause? Which medicines are safe with my conditions? What signs would mean I need review? How can I reduce spread to people at home?