What should you know about viral cough treatment?

Viruses can inflame the throat and breathing tubes, making the cough reflex more sensitive. Medicines cannot remove that irritation immediately. The cough may be dry, tickly or mucus-producing, and it can remain after a blocked nose or fever improves. Common Cold and Acute Bronchitis are frequent settings for a viral cough, but Acid Reflux, Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma can create similar symptoms. A clinician may consider Bronchiolitis in a young child and Bronchiectasis or Chronic Cough when symptoms are recurrent or prolonged.

Take frequent drinks, rest, and use warm fluids to soothe the throat. Honey can help people over one year old; never give it to an infant. Saline nasal spray may reduce drainage that triggers coughing. Keep away from tobacco smoke, vaping aerosol and dusty or perfumed air. A pharmacist can advise whether a simple pain or fever medicine, lozenge or cough product is suitable. Check labels to avoid doubling ingredients, and mention pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergies, kidney or liver disease and regular medicines. Antibiotics do not treat a viral infection.

Get urgent help for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, chest pain, confusion, collapse or coughing blood. Seek prompt advice if you are wheezing, dehydrated, unable to sleep because of breathing symptoms, or the cough is steadily worsening. Arrange a review when it does not begin to ease, returns after improving, or occurs in a baby, an older adult or someone with significant heart or lung disease. The right treatment depends on the cause found during assessment.

Ask which symptoms should be treated, which products are safe with your current medicines, whether an inhaler or examination is needed, and when to return if the cough continues. Tell the clinician whether mucus, wheeze, reflux, nasal drainage or fever is present.