Suggestions for persistent cough?

You might have an infection. I took some antibiotics and it went away pretty quick.

 

Chances are that it is something bacterial and that antibiotics could take care of the issue.

But, as I stated, I think if the cough isnt impairing you from day to day functions, then you should avoid the antibiotics and let your body fight it out. Antibiotic overuse or misuse is one of the biggest problems we face...and many doctors willingly give out prescriptions without thinking about the long term effects for the patient.

For one thing, you need to find out what kind of bacteria is at the root of the problem...you dont want to be taking an antibiotic that fights a certain bacteria that isnt causing your cough. That can cost time or money. Also, what happens if it is something viral? Antibiotics will fail. If the doctor is blindly prescribing something, chances are that a simple penicillin can do the trick, but if he is off, then you are completely screwing your body. And yes, I know plenty of doctors that prescribe with assumptions, rather than facts.

Antibiotic resistant strains are increasingly greatly...the more times you use antibiotics, the less effective they will be the next time you use them. Therefore, be careful when you use them...its always better to avoid them IF you can. You dont want to be stuck in a situation, 30 years down the line where the antibiotic isnt as effective...meaning you are ill for a longer period of time and spending more money to take care of the problem than necessary. Plus, your body is younger and stronger now, so it can take care of itself better now than later.

In other words, use antibiotics only when you and/or your doctor feel it is absolutely necessary.

 

Dude, I pounded you on taking ownership of mistakes and knowing when to shut up in that other thread - but even though it felt to me like you opened yourself up to it - I feel really bad that you're dealing with that crap.

Also - my wife is dealing with this persistent cough issue as well, so yes it must be in the air right now.

 

Regardless of the fact that you aren't insured, the best advice is to go see a doctor.

 

this combination has always worked for me.


Halls Defense (Zinc + Echinacea--comes in Harvest Cherry)...NOt the Citrus/Vitamin C or Watermelon ones, cause there are 3 different "Defense" ones I've seen

Vicks 44--Cough Suppressant only. (Not Expectorant or any of the other variations... just straight Dextromethorphan as the only active drug)


That combo + water and sleep has knocked out the most persistent coughs I've ever had somehow, so I swear by it (and I've tried a lot of things like Cold-eez, Airborne, Delsym cough syrup, different Vicks 44's, etc... this is the result of experimentation)

 

I've had something similar too. A dry cough for about 4-5 weeks, and now I've been having earaches since last night that just started.

 

I get this annually too. It gets so bad that I can't finish a sentence without having a coughing fit.

 

All htown jokes aside, Promethazine with Codeine Cough Syrup can do wonders. Go see your doc and see if he'll prescribe you that, or Tussionex. He'll proobably give you Tussionex. But yeah, when used as an actual treatment drug and not a recreational htown drug, it's the best cough syrup you can get.

 

If you have the cough following a cold, then this is just a post viral syndrome. Usually lasts about 8-12 weeks, and will go away on its own. Nothing to worry about.