Experiencing a cough while pregnant can cause physical discomfort and generate concern. When simple measures, like sucking on cough drops or sipping hot tea, fail to suppress a cough, some mothers-to-be seek relief with over-the-counter or prescription cough medicine.

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease or periodontitis, features receding gums that may be swollen, dark red and tender. It is caused by plaque and bacteria on teeth, which harden into tartar; poor oral hygiene can play a role. If you have signs of gum disease, MayoClinic.

If you suspect you have an ear infection, talk to your doctor. Infections need to be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible to prevent complications.

Commonly referred to as the kissing disease, mononucleosis—or mono—can spread in a variety of ways, not just through kissing. The condition is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and mainly affects adolescents or young adults, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The common cold, with its symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, congestion and cough, strikes at one time or another. According to the Mayo Clinic's website, most adults come down with a cold two to four times a year. If you develop a high fever, extremely swollen glands or intense sinus pain, you should see your doctor.

Vicks VapoRub is an over-the-counter, topical ointment designed for temporary relief from coughing or sore muscles and is approved for children as young as age 2 and adults. VapoRub contains camphor, menthol and eucalyptus oil that operate as cough suppressants through released vapors and as topical analgesics.

Although numerous over-the-counter medications are available to treat nasal congestion, or a stuffy nose, a prescription decongestant may be necessary in cases of serious cold or chronic conditions. Nasal congestion occurs when blood vessels inside the nose become inflamed and swell.

Chest congestion is the accumulation of fluid and mucus in the lungs. People with congestion may experience coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. According to FamilyDoctor.org, chest congestion and cough are common cold and flu symptoms.

Cough drops are frequently used to provide short-term relief from symptoms of an upper-respiratory tract infection -- such as the common cold, the flu or a chest cold. Various brands of cough drops contain different active ingredients intended to temporarily quiet a cough.

Drugs can have interactions with other drugs, as well as certain foods and other substances. Although most of the interactions you hear about are adverse in character, sometimes the reverse can be true. Such is the case with amoxicillin, a penicillin-based antibiotic, and caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant.

Acidophilus, a healthy bacterium that lives in your digestive system, cannot prevent the stomach flu but can help treat symptoms from the stomach flu. The stomach flu is a viral infection that occurs in your digestive tract and causes vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.

Fungi spores are so tiny that you don’t notice when you inhale them or they land on your skin. But once they begin to reproduce and show themselves as athlete’s foot, yeast infections or skin rash, you’re painfully aware that your body is hosting a fungal infiltration.