Suggest Treatment For Cold And Cough

Posted on Wed, 6 Sep 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 5 Sep 2017 Answered on

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had a bad cold and felt sick for almost two weeks. I am starting to feel better but still have an awful cough is that normal

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
this can occur in some persons

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The cough that occurs with cough/cold or the flu can unfortunately potentially last up to 6 weeks in some persons.

If the cough is wet, then the use of a mucolytic may help. These are medications that help to break up mucus eg guaifenesin, mucomyst, bisolvan.
Using enough fluids also helps to decrease the thickness of the mucus so that it can be expelled easily.

A short course of steroids is sometimes also needed if the cough is persistent eg coughing most of the day or night.

In some , the cough can persist even when the other symptoms have resolved.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar