What should I do if I have a persistent cough (F0)?

A dry cough is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 (occurring in 70% of patients). The cough usually comes on suddenly, starting about a day after the onset of the illness and can last for about 19 days. It can even last for 4 weeks or months.

Coughing, essentially, is the body's protective reaction to expel pathogens from the respiratory tract. When pathogens (viruses, bacteria, dust, toxins, foreign objects, etc.) enter the airways, the body's reaction stimulates the nerves in the chest and pharynx, creating a cough reflex. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, upon entering the body, also causes coughing based on this mechanism. There are two types of cough that need to be distinguished: dry cough and productive cough (with phlegm).

- Dry cough, often caused by a viral infection.

- Coughing with phlegm is often due to chronic respiratory diseases or bacterial infections.

For a dry cough, cough suppressants can be used. For a productive cough, cough suppressants should be avoided; instead, expectorants should be used to facilitate expectoration. In COVID-19 patients with a productive cough (yellow, brown, green, etc.), intermittent fever, coated tongue, etc., there is a high possibility of secondary bacterial infection, and additional antibiotic treatment is needed under the guidance of a doctor.

What should be done?

A choice between using herbal remedies or medication for coughs can be made depending on the severity of the cough symptoms, availability, and duration of action. Generally, herbal remedies are preferred for patients with mild symptoms, while more severe cases may require cough medicine to quickly relieve the cough and avoid exhaustion from excessive coughing.

- The Vietnam Traditional Medicine Association recommends implementing personal hygiene measures including bathing, washing hands with soap, using nasal drops, mouthwash, and aromatherapy. It is also advisable to drink one of the herbal remedies such as garlic juice or green tea. Traditional Vietnamese herbal remedies that strengthen the lungs are also very beneficial in this case.

- Treat coughs with ginger and honey. Prepare 60g of fresh ginger and 30g of pure honey. Wash the fresh ginger and crush it. Boil the crushed ginger with 500ml of water for about 3 minutes. Then strain out the ginger pulp, keeping only the liquid. Mix this liquid with honey and drink twice a day for best results.

- How to treat a cough with garlic. This is the simplest method, requiring no elaborate preparation. Just peel off the outer layer of the garlic cloves and chew slowly. The substances in the fresh garlic will be released. Then swallow these substances so they gradually seep down your throat. The cough will soon subside.

- Diet and exercise to boost immunity: Avoid stress about the pandemic; balance rest and work, take at least a 30-minute lunch break, and avoid stressful tasks. Eat nutrient-rich foods, including carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals; avoid fried foods; and limit tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and stimulants.

- For cough medicine, over-the-counter (OTC) options such as codeine, pholcodin, dextromethorphan, dextropropoxyphen, and antihistamines can be used. However, special caution is still needed when using these medications in patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD, asthma, etc.