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Cough and bronchitis
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Symptoms
The most harmless form of cough is the one that has whitish expectorations that result form the cleaning process of the lungs, since the pathogen agents are located in the mucose. Because of this, expectorations must be encouraged and not prevented. If the mucose turns yellowish or green, it is the signal of bacterial infection. If dyspnea and sharp pains appear, it could be pneumonia.
Measures
Lots of herbal tea or water should be taken to loosen the mucus; also inhalation and eventually the intake of expectorating medicine, like Ambroxol. Only in the case of dry cough, without any expectoration, an antitussive medicine can be taken for a short period of time (Codeine); be careful, if any signs of side effects appear, stop taking it immediately! In the case of a bacterial infection or the suspicion of pneumonia the only thing that helps is antibiotics. Dry air at high altitude (altitude cough) provokes an irritation of the respiratory tract and, if it is not treated, could also result in an infection. |
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