Could your cough be...

Cold or flu

It’s not unusual for a cough to linger longer than the rest of your cold symptoms, and they can sound bad.

“Common cold coughs generally fall into two types – dry or chesty,” says Kathryn Granleese, Superdrug Pharmacist and Clinical Development Manager (superdrug.com), “and don’t freak out if you’re coughing up thick phlegm or mucus too.

“It is important to stop panicking. If you are coughing up a lot of phlegm, it sounds like a chesty cough and it can be normal for it to last a while.”

Similar coughs can occur with flu, although flu generally makes people feel very unwell for around a week and in need of some proper rest at home.

WHAT To do:

Antibiotics don’t work on viral infections, so head to your pharmacist rather than the GP for advice on managing symptoms.

“Staying hydrated is very important, as well as ensuring you get plenty of rest. Drinking hot drinks can also aid congestion and steaming clears the airways,” says Kathryn. If your cough’s accompanied by a sore/irritated throat, she suggests trying “lozenges or throat sprays and, for congestion, a decongestant can help”.

And “try sleeping with an extra pillow” if a phlegmy cough is keeping you up at night.

While it is horrible, most people can self-manage flu and recover after a good rest. But flu jabs are recommended and available free for groups who might be more prone to complications (including over-65s, pregnant women and people with pre-existing conditions), or they can be arranged privately for a small fee.