About Cough

What You Should Know About Cough

Coughing helps clear mucus and other matter (inhaled irritants) from the throat and lungs. Remember to help decrease the spread of germs by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and always putting your used tissue in the waste basket when finished. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Always clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. It is best to frequently wash with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.

What Makes You Cough

When you have a cough or cold, coughing expels the excess mucus/phlegm that builds up in your lungs. You don't have to be sick to cough. Dust, pollen, smoke, and strong odors all can trigger a cough. Even if you're not spreading germs, it's a good idea to cover your mouth anyway.

How to Care for a Cough

If you have a serious, persistent cough, check with your healthcare provider. But if your cough is just starting, or if it's mild and doesn't bother you too much, here's what you can do: drink lots of fluids; get plenty of rest, even if you don't feel sick; and consider an over-the-counter cough medicine like Delsym to relieve your cough.

Check the Delsym label for more information and talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider to find out which medicine is best for you.