tessagin

If you have a persistent cough and the prescribed meds don't help and now someone else in the same household/family has it, you need to see a different doctor or go to the ER. There is a bacterial pneumonia going around that is contagious. My sister had a persistent cough that the doctor just kept giving her a cough syrup. He tried some antibiotics. This was a few decades ago. It started in June of one year. After a couple weeks and no better, I told her to see a different doctor. My family thought that was an insult. Finally this doctor sent her for exrays in December after Christmas. Dad called me and said they found lung cancer. I used to go to the same doctor but quit because of distance and other stupid stuff before the nurses were allowed for certain exams. Anyway. You need to be checked out. By the way, I do not get flu shots 1 in my lifetime and worse case of flu I ever had. Almost wound up in hospital. Have had the flu couple times since and nothing like what I had with the shot. I am adamant about people washing their hands. A persistent cough past 10 days with no relief from prescribed meds from beginning warrants a trip to the ER. Who wants to spend the holidays in the hospital or so miserable you don't spend with family?

Aurora

When I feel a cold coming, I always get the tea kettle out. I also get a Hibiscus, Cinnamon Tea at Krogers that is awesome and when you think it cannot get any better, I add a slice of Ginger, some local honey, a squeeze of lemon and a nice long tip of the Cinnamon Whiskey Bottle. I have a cup of this for several days -- just to be sure.

misseva

I usually get a bad case of bronchitis every year about when the weather changes. Prescription meds do not work. My daughter fixed me some cough medicine: 8oz jar of whiskey, some peppermint candy (however many you want) some lemon juice (whatever) and honey (your choice). I take a tablespoon full at a time and it stops my cough for approx. 2 hours. Bonus: I can take it at work and it doesn't make me drunk or dizzy. I don't drink and the taste is horrible to me. It takes a while for the peppermint to dissolve so this is best made up before you need it - just in case.

purplefiend

That's why I don't get the flu shot any more.

Stitchnripper

did you get the flu from the modern shots? They are not supposed to be a live virus. I never got the flu shot until I got the flu and then was so sick I thought I was going to die, really. Now I get the flu shot and in about 30 years haven't had a reaction except maybe a sore arm a day or two.

I have had an unrelenting cough twice in the last few years which was bronchitis and the right drugs and then when nothing was coming up a prescription cough gel which worked fine. That cough was awful.

Aurora

The trick with the honey is that it should be local honey. Fortunately, we have a group of beekeepers and a small local grocery that sells local honey.

Onebyone

I got a prescription for coughing from my Dr. Didn't work, got another, didn't work, got another and it worked great. You have to find the one that works for you. Next time you will know what to ask the Dr. for.

svenskaflicka1

the flu shot that's being given every year is an educated guess by the CDC. it covers the viruses that the experts think will come through. this year. they guessed wrong. the flu shot is still important--but the shot covered the type "B" flu--and the one that has hit, everywhere is type "A"--the bird flu. yes, it can lead to pneumonia. don't mess with a persistent cough. go to the doc. bronchitis can become chronic. yes, lung cancer is sometimes the cause of a persistent cough, as well. so is emphysema. but dang, people--get the darned shot. people die from the flu--there have been 7 deaths in our state this year, already. and if you are already immunocompromised, with diabetes, chronic disease of any kind, you need the protection. i want to live long enough to use all this fabric, and i don't want to get more by going to someone's estate sale...

Aurora

Was it Cheracol? If so, it is still available. It was a prescription cough syrup. I remember it didn't take much.