Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough And Upper Respiratory Infection

Posted on Sun, 25 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 25 Dec 2016 Answered on

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a sever cough for weeks. went to dr & he said 'viral upper respiratory infection. with cough'
the did say my chest was clear.
old me to take over the counter zyrtec & cough a syrup. that's it. I can't sleep or even talk for coughing so hard. this is just not right? can you suggest something?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Recommend cough suppressants and glucocorticoids

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I would recommend a few medications that can help to suppress the cough:

+Codeine
+Dextromethorphan
+Glucocorticoids (that can help reduce the swelling caused by the infection and in turn help suppress the cough)
+Sips of lukewarm water with drops of honey in it

Stating facts, an upper respiratory tract infection of a viral source is a self-resolving condition not requiring medication. If it were of bacterial source then it could have been treated with antibiotics, but as yours is of a viral source medicine usually calls for the infection to run its course.

I hope you understand, and I also hope you can request your doctor for a prescription as I cannot write you one, and even if I do it will not be accepted by your pharmaceuticals. Please do not hesitate to write to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T