Common colds are something everyone suffers and most people are all too familiar with the symptoms. A cold should run its course in a week or ten days, have no fever, and include both coughs and a stuffy or runny nose. Most doctors can prescribe medications to make having a cold less miserable. Many over-the-counter products are available for cold relief but use with caution. Some can interact with prescription meds and it’s wise to read any warnings before taking a new product. Some are not advisable for pregnant women, high blood pressure patients, heart patients, and others.

Tuberculosis was once thought to be a disease of the past but has made a comeback in recent years especially among those with impaired immune systems. A positive skin test can mean a patient has either an active infection or the disease. Other symptoms include coughs with bloody streaked mucous, night sweats, weight loss, and intermittent fever. In earlier decades, tuberculosis patients were often sent away to sanitariums but today, most cases of TB can be treated with heavy antibiotics and care.

Most patients will require the expertise of a doctor to determine the cause of coughs. When suffering a common cold or from allergies, there are over the counter medications that can help relieve the cough. The two most common cough relief products are either expectorants or suppressants. Suppressants quiet the cough and can make dry coughs less harsh. Expectorants bring up thick mucous. Never use a cough medicine or product for more than a week.

Every cough has a cough and it’s best to let the doctor determine the cause. With the right treatment or medication, most coughs can be ended or made manageable.