Coughs: causes, types and symptom relief
Coughs: causes, types and symptom relief
A cough is the body's response to irritation in the airways - this could be due to external irritants or conditions, such as asthma, causing a change in the airways. The most common cause of a cough is an acute upper respiratory tract infection,1 and these are most commonly caused by viruses such as the rhinovirus.3 Respiratory tract infections are most common from September to March.3
TYPES OF COUGH
There are two main types of cough: 4
-
PRODUCTIVE
producing mucus/phlegm and may be described as chesty, wet or having a feeling of mucus on the chest
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NON-
PRODUCTIVEnot producing mucus/phlegm, described as dry/tickly
SYMPTOM RELIEF
Although most coughs clear up within three weeks on their own,5 they can be very bothersome for customers who may be looking for your advice on symptom relief.
As many are caused by viruses, antibiotics from their GP would not help, and having green phlegm is not a sign that antibiotics are needed.6