What do you do when you get a bad cough?

I currently have one and it won't go away!
Had to go to the doctor for something else and he listened to my chest and gave me anti biotics to take if I was not better the next day.

I did not take them, but am taking cough syrup once a day and sucking lollies and drinking plenty of water.

by Finy

If you just have a bad sore throat Finy, the old fashioned remedy was gargling with warm salt water...however, if you have a chest infection obviously you WILL need antibiotics I would think. The old Strepsils never helped me much

Get some sage and make a tea out of it, drink it when needed, helps with the cough, mine eventually went away, antibiotics didn't help, good luck

I honestly cannot remember the last time I had a cough,or even a cold for that matter!!! I have a very poor immune system,so I am extremely careful NOT to get these types of ailments. I think that living in the warm region of tropical Nth Qld,has helped me enormously in this matter.

by Jules

You and me both, Finy. Over it! I've just waited it out - made sure I've been eating properly, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep.

by Vee

but while mine is better, Vee, it is still there and not sure if I should be taking the anti biotics! I had a "rattle\" or some such in my chest -not a rattle but cant remember the words he used.

Interesting. Perhaps go back for a follow-up?

Luckily I don't get these very often anymore...when I smoked years ago I was always getting bronchitis etc. there fore was often on antibiotic...those days are over now thankgoodness.

by Fran

I will take cough syrup if it's really bad, particularly if it is keeping me up at night.

by AJ

I would go to the Chemist first for an appropriate coigh mixture and I favour Strepsils to suck. If it was persistent and got really bad I would go to the doctor.

by Gayle Beveridge

Cough medicine only....and I don't wait.(if it keeps going).

by jonaja

Don't usually get a bad cough, thank goodness!

At first sign of 'sore throat' though, I start gargling with warm, salty water. If it persists, go see dr.

by donjo

gargle throat with salt and water , sometimes an antibiotic will not work so see dr who will give you a different scrip to the one he gave you.
drink warm lemon drinks

by flaga

I've had a bad cough for about 4 years now. no cold, no sore throat. In the middle of the night, while I'm eating, while I'm not eating...etc!! The hospital have done 5 tests, but still no result as to why I'm coughing! I think I may need to go to a cough specialist!

by Miro