Cough 303
Cough
Coughing is the body’s way of cleaning the breathing system
and getting rid of mucus. Coughing is also a common sign of lung
problems, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis. Any person
➤ DO NOT smoke if
you have a cough.
with HIV who has a cough for more than 2 weeks should You can make this syrup for
be seen by a health worker to be tested for TB.
When a cough produces mucus, do not take medicine to
stop the cough. Instead, do something to help loosen and
bring up the mucus.This will make the cough heal faster.
all kinds of cough, especially
a dry cough. Take one
teaspoon every 2 or 3 hours.
Mix:
Treatment:
1 part
honey
• Drink lots of water. Water is better than any cough
medicine. It loosens the mucus so you can cough it
up more easily.
• Cough several times during the day to clear the
lungs. Be sure to cover your mouth.
+
1 part
lemon
juice
• Keep active by walking, or by turning in bed and sitting
up. This helps the mucus come out of the lungs.
• Soothe the throat by drinking tea with lemon and
honey, or your own herbal remedy. Cough syrups that
you buy are more expensive and no more helpful.
+1 part
water
• If the cough is very bad and keeps you awake at
night, take codeine, 30 mg, or codeine
cough syrup (see page 497).
I mportant If you cough up yellow,
green, or bloody mucus, the cough could
be caused by TB or pneumonia (see the
next page).
Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infection caused by a germ that
usually affects the lungs. The signs of AIDS and TB are similar,
but they are different diseases. Most people with TB do not
have AIDS.
But someone with HIV can get TB very easily because the
person’s body is too weak to fight it. TB is actually the leading
cause of death for people with HIV and AIDS.
TB can be cured, even in persons with AIDS, so it is important
to get treatment early. Once a person with HIV starts taking
treatment for TB, she or he should also start ART. Help the
person find an HIV care and treatment program.
Have someone hit
you on the back of
the chest (postural
drainage). This can
make it easier to
cough up the mucus.
pneumonia, 304
TB, 397
ART, 517–521
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012