Cold and Flu Relief: Cough Remedies and Immune Support

What are the best ways to get rid of a bad, dry cough or shorten a cold's duration? From flu shot reactions to cough remedies while pregnant, managing cold and flu involves targeted nutrition and mucus clearance.

sick girl

Achy, Flu-Like Symptoms

Influenza is a seasonal viral disease that typically causes symptoms of fever, chills, headache, stuffy nose, sore throat and muscle aches. Fever and muscle aches are typically among the first symptoms to develop.

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Young man blowing his nose

Diseases That Have Flu Symptoms

"Flu symptoms" is a general description for a set of symptoms usually including fever, chills, malaise, dry cough, loss of appetite and body aches. These symptoms are present in many illnesses as these are the symptoms that occur as the body’s natural response to fighting an infection.

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Sticks to ears

How to Clean Mineral Deposits From a Humidifier

Mineral deposits can build up in a humidifier over time due to the presence of calcium and other minerals in the water. As the water evaporates, minerals form in the tank, water tray, filter basket and other components within the humidifier, depending on the model.

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Woman having bad cold blowing her nose

Flu Symptoms After a Tetanus Injection

The tetanus injection, which is more commonly referred to as the DTaP vaccine, is a combination vaccine that protects recipients against diptheria, tetanus and pertussis.

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Milk and honey

Honey & Milk for Colds in Children

When your child has a cold, you might be able to use honey to alleviate some of her symptoms, such as a cough or a sore throat. Giving your child milk while she is sick won't increase her phlegm production, but it may thicken the phlegm her body is already producing.

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woman using nasal spray in her living room

Side Effects of Flixonase Nasal Spray

Steroid nasal sprays are used commonly to treat conditions like sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. They work by decreasing the inflammation in the nose, and are very effective in reducing allergy symptoms such as stuffy and runny nose, itching and sneezing. Flixonase nasal sprays, known as Flonase in the U.S.

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Mature Asian man cough

Ingredients in Robitussin Cough & Congestion

Robitussin is a North American brand-name cough syrup currently produced by the pharmaceutical company, Pfizer. The active ingredients in Robitussin DM are dextromethorphan HBr, a cough suppressant approved by the U.S.

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Sad woman with tissue and medicines lying on bed

How Do I Know If I'm Coming Down With the Flu?

The flu is a highly contagious virus that attacks the upper respiratory system. According to Kid'sHealth.org, the illness generally has a quick onset and you may have few symptoms prior to getting sick. The preliminary symptoms you do have may be mild or easily confused for something else.

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The Names of Hydrocodone Cough Medicine

The primary reason for a doctor to prescribe a cough medicine with hydrocodone is to alleviate the chronic coughing that can accompany lung cancer. Athough hydrocodone is a narcotic with significant adverse effects—and even potential for abuse—it is a valuable tool for improving quality of life.

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White Onion

Making Onion Tea for Colds

Onion tea has been used as a folk remedy for the common cold, flu and cough. Onion contains nutrients to help fight a cold, and herbal teas provide you with a relaxing effect during recovery.

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Teaching Kids to Clear Mucus

Mucus can build up in different places in the body, including the lungs, throat, nose and chest. Coughing is often the best way to expel excess mucus from the throat and lungs. Your child will need to blow his nose if the mucus is in the nasal cavities. Medications and home remedies are also used to help clear mucus.

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Cup of tea, honey and flowers

Cough Expectorant Home Remedies

Upper respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia often produce a cough, which is the body’s attempt to clear the airways of mucus. Commercial cough expectorants thin mucus secretions and help remove them from the lungs, but they can have unpleasant side effects.

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Vapor from humidifier in the morning light

How to Clean a Cool Mist Humidifier

A cool mist humidifier has no heating element installed in the base unit. Instead of dispersing moisture in the form of steam, these devices use a built-in fan to blow air through a damp filter—the water and air mix to form a vapor, which the fan propels into the air.

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How to Humidify a Room Without a Humidifier

Dry air can cause any number of problems, from parched nasal membranes, cracked lips and itchy skin to static shock and an uncomfortable night's sleep. These annoyances can increase in winter, when heating your home means moisture becomes even more scarce.

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How to Relieve a Dry Hacking Cough

Unlike productive coughs--coughs that can be helpful by bringing mucus up and out of the lungs, dry hacking coughs tend to needlessly irritate your throat and lungs, causing tickling and burning sensations that can make your days difficult and your nights sleepless.

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Little girl with the flu

Congestion in Children

Congestion is a common symptom in children. Sometimes congestion is an acute, or short-term, condition, such as in the case of a cold or the flu. Other times nasal congestion is a chronic problem, such as in the case of allergies.

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How to Use Honey to Relieve a Cough

A cough is usually a good thing; it means your body is trying to get rid of mucus that may be collecting in your lungs. However, a persistent cough may be unwelcome if it keeps you up at night or interferes with your activities.

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Feverish woman lying under blanket

What Are Mild Flu-Like Symptoms?

Flu-like symptoms is a general medical term used to describe a complex—but usually mild—set of symptoms that can develop due to infection, disease or medication use. The development of mild flu-like symptoms can occur suddenly and is most commonly associated with infection caused by the influenza (flu) virus.

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Autumn is the time when caugh is something normal

Chronic Cough at Night in a 3-year-old

Conditions that cause coughing are almost always worse at night. If your 3-year-old has been coughing at night for several weeks, this could indicate bronchitis, sinusitis or asthma. Consult with your doctor to treat your child’s condition and prevent damage to your child’s lungs.

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Sick man lying on sofa in living room

Reasons for Coughing up Phlegm in the Morning

Coughing up phlegm in the morning can occur with a variety of short- and long-term conditions affecting the lungs. People with a productive cough -- meaning one that leads to expulsion of phlegm, or sputum -- often report their cough is worst in the morning.

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