What should you know about flu dry cough?

A dry cough produces little or no mucus and may feel scratchy, tickly, or tiring. Influenza can inflame the throat and breathing tubes, making coughing easier to trigger with talking, cold air, smoke, or exertion. A cough may outlast fever and body aches while the lining of the airways settles.

Cough has several possible causes. Acute Bronchitis can present with cough after a respiratory infection; asthma can cause cough with wheeze or chest tightness; and acid reflux can irritate the throat, especially after meals or when lying down. A common cold may also cause a similar cough.

Rest, drink fluids regularly, and use warm drinks if they soothe your throat. Avoid tobacco smoke, dusty air, and strong fragrances. Honey may calm a cough for adults and children over one year; never give honey to an infant under one year. A pharmacist can help you choose an appropriate cough product and check for medicine interactions. Follow the label and avoid combining products with the same active ingredient.

If the cough is worse at night, raise your upper body slightly and keep the room comfortably humidified without making it damp. Cover coughs, wash hands, and limit close contact while you feel unwell.

Seek urgent help for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, or chest pain. Arrange prompt medical assessment if you cough up blood, become dehydrated, feel markedly worse after initial improvement, or have a high-risk condition such as significant lung disease or reduced immunity. A cough that persists or keeps returning deserves review, particularly if it disrupts sleep or activity.

Could this cough be influenza, a common cold, Acute Bronchitis, asthma, or another cause? What symptoms would mean I need an examination? Is any cough medicine suitable with my current medicines, allergies, age, or pregnancy?