Coughing is one of the first symptoms of a cold or other respiratory illness in children and adults. In order not to start the disease, you need to take appropriate action as soon as possible. There are many drugs, as well as folk recipes that are effective in the initial stage of acute respiratory viral infections or other respiratory diseases. They are prescribed by a doctor if a cough begins. How to treat a cold, flu in the initial stage of their development will be discussed further.
General recommendations
Often at the initial stage of a cold, a cough begins. How to treat it, largely depends on the cause, as well as on the characteristics of the patient's body. It is worth considering that a cough is a protective reaction of the body, which allows you to remove sputum, dust, allergens, foreign objects from the respiratory tract. Its appearance can provoke not only inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract.
Coughing may be dry and wet. Typically, both of these varieties pass after a maximum of two weeks. To speed up the healing process and not start the disease, you need to know how to overcome it correctly. The doctor will tell you how to treat a cough in an adult or a child. Be sure to identify the cause of this symptom. If it is an allergy, bronchial asthma, it is necessary to eliminate the effect of a provoking factor. The usual cold remedies in this case will be powerless.
Most often, cough appears due to ARVI. Almost every adult and child is familiar with the common cold. This is one of the most common diseases. However, treatment is not always carried out correctly. So, according to statistics, 5.7% of the population of our country take drugs that are contraindicated for them with a cold. Another 23% of people take antibiotics without indications for their use. As a result, the disease not only does not recede, but is also significantly aggravated.
With a cold, a cough usually begins in the early stages of the disease. How to treat it depends on the cause of the respiratory disease. It can be a virus or bacteria, so the mechanism of action on them is different. Antibiotics can not only not help, but also harm. With a viral infection, they are powerless. With bacterial complications, this group of drugs is very effective. But this is true if the drug is selected correctly, and its administration is performed according to a certain scheme. If it is not treated correctly with antibiotics, the problem can worsen.
Bacterial infection cough
Treatment for incipient cough depends on the pathogen. If this is a cold caused by bacteria, you need to take antibiotics. But it is worth remembering that a similar group of respiratory diseases occurs in only 5-30% of cases. Moreover, the symptoms may be the same as with the flu. Therefore, uncontrolled intake of antibiotics can harm health.
Most often, bactericidal infections are manifested by acute rhinitis and sinusitis. Runny nose is characterized by green-yellow dense discharge. Acute otitis media may also develop. Often, the disease is exacerbated by tonsillitis, alveolitis. Often people describe their condition in such a way that their throat hurts at first, and then a cough begins. How to treat this condition, the doctor will answer. But quite often, the disease may require taking antibiotics. This is the main drug if pathogens become the cause of discomfort in the throat.
But it is also worth considering that with the development of such a disease, the type of antibiotics must be correctly selected. Today there are a huge number of species. The drug should target the pathogenic microflora.
Often, against the background of the primary infection, a complication begins to develop. In this case, patients claim that after a dry cough, a wet one started. How to treat complications, the doctor will say. Cough in this case may be "chest". It comes from the lungs or bronchi. Separated from the respiratory tract becomes yellowish or greenish. In this case, the temperature rises again after a temporary improvement.
If complications in the form of bronchitis, otitis media have joined the primary infection, the doctor may prescribe, for example, Amoxicillin or its combination with clavulonic acid. With rhinosinusitis, drops are prescribed with an antibacterial effect of topical application. It, for example, can be "Polydex", "Isofra" or their analogues. But it is worth considering that with a runny nose caused by a virus, these drugs will be ineffective.
Viral infection
Often a viral infection provokes a condition when a dry cough begins. How to treat this type of ailment? There are more than 200 varieties of viruses that can cause respiratory diseases, cough. Therefore, it is almost impossible to select an antiviral drug in accordance with the type of pathogenic microorganisms.
If the cause of the cough is an influenza virus, the doctor prescribes, for example, Tamiflu, Remantadin, Relenza. This treatment is effective only at the beginning of the disease. Moreover, such drugs can not completely cure the disease. They are prescribed to prevent the development of serious complications.
If the cause of the disease is other viruses, the drugs presented are useless. The doctor may prescribe inducers and interferons. Such drugs disrupt the replication of viruses. They will not be able to penetrate into healthy cells. From the category of interferons, Viferon, Interferon human leukocyte, Grippferon and others are most often prescribed. Inductors are stimulants of their own protective protein. One such drug is Amiksin. It is effective only in the first days of the onset of the disease.
Immunotronic agents stimulate local immunity in case of viral infection. This, for example, can be Ribomunil, IRS-19, Immudon.
In the presence of a large list of drugs, it is almost impossible to independently select the drug correctly. Only after a laboratory examination can you choose the right drug. In most cases, treatment of incipient cough is symptomatic.
Relief
Sometimes patients, visiting a therapist, say that they started coughing without fever. How to treat this condition? In this case, symptomatic treatment is more often prescribed. It allows you to reduce discomfort. So, when coughing, special lozenges with different tastes are prescribed. For example, it can be Strepsils, Doctor Mom and other similar drugs. Among the drugs in this group there are lozenges that contain special ingredients to reduce pain.
But what if the temperature rises, a sore throat, a cough begins? The doctor will also advise how to treat a cold at the initial stage. Most often, complex preparations are prescribed, which are sold in the form of powders for dissolution in hot water. The most famous drugs of this group are Coldrex, Fervex, Teraflu.
The basis of such drugs is paracetamol. It alleviates the condition of the patient, reduces the temperature and temporarily eliminates unpleasant symptoms. Paracetamol also reduces inflammation. Enhances the effect of paracetamol phenylephrine. It constricts blood vessels, often used in the treatment of rhinitis. If an allergic factor occurs, pheniramine, which can also reduce inflammation, should be part of the drug.
Hot drinks that are sold in powdered form may include ascorbic acid (vitamin C), caffeine. The first of these components is the strongest antioxidant. It significantly speeds up the healing process. Caffeine invigorates and serves as a general tonic.
Symptomatic treatment can temporarily reduce the severity of discomfort. But over time, their action ceases. Therefore, such drugs are used to recover, if there is a responsible meeting, and there is no time to relax. But it is worth considering that when suffering a cold on the legs, a person runs the risk of getting complications of the infection.
Dry or wet cough?
Almost always, at an early stage of the disease, a dry cough begins. How to treat it in this case? This is an unproductive cough that cannot rid the body of pathogens. They can be excreted only in sputum. Therefore, a few days after the onset of the disease, a productive cough occurs. It is accompanied by sputum production.
A lot of syrups, sprays, dry cough tablets are on sale. In addition, it is important to adhere to certain rules during treatment at the initial stage of development. You need to drink plenty of fluids. It can be warm teas, compotes, fruit drinks, clean water. Do not drink throat-irritating drinks. Carbonated drinks, too hot or cold drinks are excluded.
It is also necessary to maintain an optimal level of humidity in the room. To do this, you can buy a special steam generator. If you wet the sheet and dry it on the battery, the humidity level will increase. This is necessary in order to alleviate the condition of the patient, to prevent drying of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx.
Often, in the early stages of a cold, coughing begins during a conversation. How to treat such an unpleasant phenomenon? Plant-based syrups are effective. They may contain different components. So, they are effective for dry cough "Gedelix" based on ivy extract, as well as other herbal preparations.
Ambroxol tablets are good for dry coughs. From this group, doctors often prescribe Lazolvan, Ambrobene, Ambrohexal.
Among dry cough sprays, “Hexoral” is called the most effective drug. It contains hexetidine. The active substance inhibits the pathogenic microflora, acting in the larynx for up to 12 hours. The product is also sold in the form of a rinse.
Wet cough
It is not uncommon for a cough to occur after a cold. How to treat this complication? Most often it is a productive cough. It removes sputum clots from the body, which contain viruses and bacteria. For this kind of cough, special means need to be used. They will help to remove phlegm, accelerating recovery.
During the period when a wet cough appears, inhalations will be effective. You can use special equipment during their conduct. These are various nebulizers that supply the drug solution to the site of inflammation.
You can take cough tablets, which thin the thick mucus, improving its outflow from the body. This, for example, can be "Mukaltin", "ACC", "Fluimucil."
If during the diagnosis it is established that the cause of the wet cough is a bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporins or macrolides. The most famous drugs of this group are Ampicillin, Erythromycin, Ceftriaxone.
Drugs for lactation
If a woman who is currently breastfeeding a baby has a cold, cough should be treated strictly in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations. Many drugs are prohibited during this period, as during pregnancy. Stop breastfeeding (HB) is not worth it. With mother's milk, the child receives antibodies that allow his body to easily cope with the infection.
It is important to choose the right drugs if coughing begins with HB. How to treat a cold with lactation? It is advisable to use drugs based on certain medicinal components. So that the baby receives as little chemicals as possible with milk, tablets, sprays, syrups should be taken immediately after feeding. There is a list of drugs approved for use.
Among the syrups during lactation, it is allowed to take "Herbion" (based on the extract of mallow and plantain), "Gedelix" and "Prospan" (both drugs based on ivy extract). Allowed funds based on anise, thyme, thyme.
There is a list of tablets that are approved by WHO and practically do not pass into breast milk. They are taken as prescribed by the doctor if a cough begins. How to treat colds with HB? These may be such drugs as Ambroxol, ACC, Fluimucil, Mukaltin. You can gargle with the use of Furacilin preparations, dissolve Lizobact tablets.
In case of lactation, cough sprays “Tantum Verde”, “Chlorophyllipt” can be used. For inhalation using a nebulizer, you can use Miramistin, sterile saline or Borjomi.
Folk remedies
When studying how to treat an incipient cough in an adult, you should pay attention to the recipes of traditional medicine. There are several plants that can reduce sore throat. This is a symptomatic treatment.
One of the good antiseptic and antioxidant products is black pepper. It improves blood circulation, eliminates intoxication of the body. To prepare the medicine you need to take a tablespoon of black pepper and a glass of honey. They are mixed, and then taken a teaspoon three times a day. You can also mix half a teaspoon of pepper and a glass of milk. After mixing the ingredients, they insist, and then drink before bedtime.
Cardamom has an expectorant and tonic effect. You need to take 0.5 teaspoon of tincture from this plant and the same amount of cinnamon. They are poured with a glass of boiling water. When the product has cooled, it is used to gargle with a dry cough.
You can use ginger juice during treatment. Its required 2 teaspoons. A little salt is added to the juice and taken before meals.
When breastfeeding, you can apply decoctions of calendula, rosehip, chamomile, and rosemary leaves.
Dr. Komarovsky's opinion on expectorants
How to treat a cough in a child? Komarovsky, who is a famous pediatrician, gives some advice to parents. He claims that there are several facts you need to know about cough medications.
Expectorants increase the amount of sputum. It liquefies, which should facilitate easier coughing. Most often, children cough and runny nose are caused by pharyngitis, laryngitis or rhinitis. In this case, the use of drugs to increase mucus (mucolytics) is useless, according to Dr. Komarovsky.
Such drugs are prescribed only for diseases of the lower respiratory tract, for example, with bronchitis or pneumonia. But for children, such drugs are prescribed extremely carefully. Mucolytics can increase coughing. Children, according to Komarovsky, are unable to fully cough up mucus. When taking expectorant drugs, sputum becomes too much. It accumulates in the lower parts of the respiratory tract. This leads to the development of pneumonia or bronchitis. Therefore, it is better not to use such remedies for children with cough.
How to treat a cough in a child?
Treatment of incipient cough in children is carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician. Dr. Komarovsky argues that several actions will help improve the condition of the baby. The child needs to be warmly clothed and open the window. The air should be cool and clean. The temperature in the room should not be lower than 16º. But it should fall, becoming less than 20º.
It is necessary to provide a normal level of humidity in the room. It should be between 40 and 70%. Parents should monitor how the baby breathes. His mouth should be closed. Breathing is carried out exclusively through the nose.
It is important to wash your nose often with saline or saline. If necessary, vasodilators can be used (as prescribed by the doctor). The child should drink plenty of warm liquid.
Evgeny Komarovsky argues that staying in a cool room and drinking plenty of warm fluids helps in eliminating sputum. She will actively liquefy and easily clear her throat.
Coughing in infants is most often caused by the presence of sputum in the upper respiratory tract. It is necessary to clean the baby's nose with a medical pear or a special device called an aspirator. In this case, saline or special preparations are used, for example, Humer. This allows you to quickly eliminate the cough in the baby.