A cough, caused by irritation in the throat or the airways of the lungs arising from any complaint, can be soothed by medicines over the first few days but can last as long as necessary. Sometimes a cough is a healthy response to circulate oxygen around the system or get rid of any mucus that has built up on any organs. An asthmatic cough, caused by constriction of airways and notable by a slight wheezing on exhalation, can be treated with a blast of inhaled air from an inhaler. Of course if blood is coughed up then that becomes a matter for a doctor’s emergency treatment as it is likely in this case that an organ is problematic. Some bodies take longer than others to shake off a cold or flu, and demand that fluids be replaced to ensure proper regulation of bodily functions including homeostasis and excretion. If the mucus in a cough is yellow then bronchitis or pneumonia is a problem. In all cases, try to stay around clean air and regulate your breathing and let the virus leave your system without any antibiotics necessary. A smoker’s cough can be cured by nicotine patches and treatment for an addiction, as smoking has been proven to affect the lung and airways. A cough is the most common reason for primary case visits in the US, so please make sure it really is degenerative rather than merely irritating; a variety of throat-soothing sucky sweets can help numb the pain, and bedrest can soothe one’s head.
