Wet cough

Starting small by taking it easy, getting good amounts of sleep, and ensuring that you are eating and drinking well – this will all help. Because mucus is mostly made from water, it can be easy to become dehydrated while you are experiencing a productive cough, especially if you have a fever, too. Hence it is important to take extra steps to ensure you are adequately hydrated throughout the day.

You can try some simple over-the-counter treatments to help with your symptoms. Healthwords pharmacists have put together some of our favourite medications that can be purchased to help with a productive cough.

These treatments will not stop your cough but may help to relieve your symptoms. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to relieve pain in your throat or respiratory muscles from coughing. Simple Linctus or a hot honey and lemon drink can soothe your throat, and cough sweets or lozenges work in the same way, if you're out and about.

Guaifenesin cough syrup may help shift some of your phlegm.

It is relatively common to find that your productive cough is worse at night and is affecting your sleep. This is likely due to the fact mucus pools at the back of the lungs due to gravity when you're lying down, and this irritates the lung lining, causing a cough reflex.

If this is the case, you can try the previous simple remedies, and add a sleep aid such as the antihistamine diphenhydramine. The cough suppressant dextromethorphan can often be found in combination with diphenhydramine to aid with relieving night-time coughing.

Most coughs get better by themselves within two weeks with rest, plenty of fluids, and throat-soothing treatments as necessary. In some cases, symptoms can last for up to three weeks. You should book a routine appointment to discuss with your doctor if your cough is not improving after two weeks, you have asthma or you are concerned about your symptoms.

If your symptoms are severe and not responding to pharmacy medications, if you are finding it hard to catch your breath, difficult to maintain fluids or to bring your fever down with medication, if you are coughing up blood, or if you are a smoker and are suddenly losing weight, then speak to your doctor urgently or call 111 outside of working hours.

If you are immunocompromised because of medication or a condition, or you have long-term medical conditions such as diabetes, heart, lung, kidney, or neurological illnesses, speak to your doctor.

Your doctor will listen to your concerns and symptoms, and take note of other medical conditions, medications and any family history. They will take your vital signs, including breathing rate, heart rate, oxygen content in your tissues and blood pressure. They will listen to your heart and chest and may look at your throat. They may send you for further investigations, such as a chest X-ray, blood tests, take any mucus sample or throat swab, and they will refer you to a hospital team if necessary.