How to treat a sore throat and cough

Sore Throat and Cough

A sore throat, followed by cough is a typical symptom of the common cold or flu. Other symptoms which usually occur in case of flu are nasal congestion, sneezing, fever, chills, ache throughout the whole body, headache, and weakness. The worst cases of flu or cold may include high and persistent fever, swelling of the glands in the neck, nausea, vomiting and skin irritation. If you notice any blood in the cough up, contact your doctor as soon as possible to receive medical treatment.

Causes

There are a lot of different causes for Sore throat and cough, besides viral infections such as the common cold and flu. Some of the causes may include an allergic reaction, gastroesophageal reflux disease, strained muscles in the throat or other diseases. If you are taking any medications, Sore throat and cough may be the side effects of that drug. Dry air, cigarette smoke, pollution in the air, spicy or hot food, and alcohol may irritate your throat as well.

Home Treatment

Plenty of rest is very important part of the treatment. Sleep will keep your immune system strong and provide energy for your body to fight the infection. You should avoid strenuous physical activities while you are sick. Also drink plenty of fluid, but avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, cold drinks and coffee because they can irritate your throat even more. It is recommended to keep your room warm and moist. In mild cases you can take some Aspirin or cough syrup to ease the symptoms. Also take plenty of vitamin C and nasal spray with zinc.

Natural Remedies

One of the best natural remedies for Sore throat and cough is homemade chicken soup. A simple natural remedy for sore throat is gargling warm salt water for a half a minute a few times a day. Another natural remedy is lemon juice mixed with water and honey. Put some lemon and honey in a glass of hot water and drink the mixture when it cools down. You should drink chamomile tea. Other helpful herbs are ginger, slippery elm, eucalyptus, Marshmallow root and licorice root.

Prevention

If viral infection, such as flu, caused Sore throat and cough, you may be easily infected as well because flu is highly contagious. You should stay away from the people who are sick or wear a protective mask over your mouth and nose. Wash your hands often because viruses can be passed on through contaminated objects. Keep your immune system healthy and strong by eating well balanced diet, exercising and leading a healthy life.