Can cough syrup prevent a chesty cough from becoming bronchitis/pneumonia?
Cough medicine is a treatment, not a preventative medicine. For instance, acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, (although it can also be caused by bacteria) and cough medicine isn’t going to kill either a virus or bacteria. If your chest feels ‘tight’ and the phlegm isn’t loose, an expectorant cough medicine is taken for relief. Get well soon! EDIT: A cold is usually over all by itself in about 7 days, with perhaps a few lingering symptoms (cough) for another week. The only way to avoid a secondary infection is to stay away from crowded, confined spaces during this time, and avoid contact with anyone you know who has a chest infection; also, if you’re a smoker – stop smoking. Make sure you’re eating the right foods to boost your immune system and that you’re getting enough sleep. ‘Getting the phlegm up’ will not prevent a secondary infection.
