Cough Directory
Coughing is the body's way of removing foreign material or mucus from the lungs and upper airways or of reacting to an irritated airway. Coughs have distinctive traits you can learn to recognize. A cough is only a symptom, not a disease, and often the importance of your cough can be determined only when other symptoms are evaluated. Coughs often occur with bacterial and viral respiratory infections, but there are many other causes of cough. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about cough, causes, how to treat a cough, and much more.
Medical Reference
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Cold Medicine and Treatment
WebMD helps you discover the most effective cold medicine and treatment to shorten and minimize your miserable cold symptoms.
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Cough Medicine and Cough Syrups
Need something to stop that cough? Learn more about the ingredients and purposes of the various types of cough syrup and cough medicine so you get the right treatment.
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Coughing Up Blood: Causes, Tests, Treatments, and More
WebMD explains the reasons you might be coughing up blood - and when to see a doctor.
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What OTC Medicine Can I Take for My Cough or Cold?
Find over-the-counter remedies to treat your cold symptoms, including coughs, a stuffy nose, sneezing, a sore throat or mild aches.
Features
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Soothe Your Nighttime Cough
Are you up at night coughing because of a cold or flu? Find out how to soothe your nighttime cough.
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6 Tips to Help You Breathe Easier (and Sleep Better) When You’re Sick
Too stuffy to sleep? Try these tricks to breathe easier and sleep better when you’re sick.
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How Moms Prevent Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough is highly contagious. If one person has pertussis, up to 90% of people in the same house will get it. Here’s what careful moms do.
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What Your Mucus Says About Your Health
Snot, mucus, phlegm -- call it what you want, it’s still gross. It also means your body is keeping you healthy.
Video
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Myths & Facts about Snot and Mucus
Get the facts on mucus and snot, the different mucus colors and what they mean in this informative myth vs fact video.
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Cough Medicine Abuse in Teens
There's a growing epidemic of teen abuse of over-the-counter cough medicine. It's dangerous, even deadly. Could your teen be in danger?
Slideshows & Images
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Home Remedies for Sick Children
Children need special care when they’re home sick with colds or flu. Here’s how you can care for them.
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Slideshow: Tips for Calming Your Cough
Can't stop coughing? See home cough remedies and other cough treatments. And find out when it's time to see a doctor for your cough.
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Cold & Flu Treatment: Medication and Home Remedies for Children Slideshow
WebMD offers helpful tips to safely choose and use over-the-counter medicines and other remedies to help you treat your child’s cold or flu.
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Slideshow: Soothe a Child's Cold or Flu
Does your child have the cold or flu? See how to ease your child's cold or flu. Help symptoms like cough, sore throat, and stuffiness.
Quizzes
Health Tools
Expert Commentary
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How Parents Can Prevent Teen OTC Drug Abuse
A drug rehab counselor talks about how parents can prevent those first steps to teenage drug addiction.
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A Teenager’s Story of OTC Drug Abuse
A teenager in rehab talks about how abusing over-the-counter medicines led to harder drugs and eventually her arrest.