Home Care/Self Treatment:
- Rest
- Increase fluid intake
- Drink warm liquids
- Cool mist humidifier
- Eliminate irritants, including NO smoking and do not allow smoking in home or car
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Tylenol, Ibuprofen
- Over-the-counter cough medicines: Robitussin, Nyquil, etc. (See pharmacist for recommendations)
- Over-the-counter lozenges may be helpful
- Elevate head of bed at night
- Call back or make appt. after 3 days at SHC if no improvement after home/self care measures
Seek Medical Attention if:
- Coughing related to foreign body/choking
- Coughing up large amounts of blood
- Unable to swallow secretions/drooling
- Asthma or wheezing
- Shortness of breath/Difficulty breathing
- Fever 101
- Cough 3 days without improvement with home care measures