One of the body reactions that has become a no-no in public is a cough. It can be a cough due to an allergy, or a cough due to a cold.

Amid the pandemic, a cough has become a socially unacceptable act. It is perceived as a disease and a symptom of the dreaded COVID-19.

“Contrary to what most people think, cough is not a disease but rather the defense mechanism of the lungs and airways from irritants like cold air, cigarette smoke, or strong perfumes,” Dr. Gwen Agra, pulmonologist, said.

She explained that “a cough is a reflex that starts when the respiratory system sensory nerves are stimulated. An impulse is sent to the brain, which then sends a message to the muscles in the respiratory system to contract to produce a cough.”

The doctor’s explanation about the cough was initiated by the campaign #PigilHiningaMoments and how to fight them launched by Unilab for Solmux, an over-the-counter medicine for respiratory tract infection to give relief to patients with a cough.

Actually a cough is "supposed to protect you by getting stuff that doesn’t belong in your lungs and windpipe. But if a cough persists for three weeks with no signs of improvement, go see a doctor,” she said.

Aside from irritants, there are many triggers for a cough. Among them are allergies and asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), even acid reflux and postnasal drip. But the most common of all triggers are viruses that cause respiratory tract infections, she explained.

“Colds and the flu are the most common causes of a cough. Wet or productive cough gets the germy mucus out of the lungs when you're sick. Most will go away in a few days. After a cold, though, some 'dry' cough will last for weeks or months," she said.

Dr. Agra also warned that "a cough that is a symptom of a more serious condition is unlikely to go away on its own. If left untreated, the condition could worsen and cause other symptoms.”

Unilab said Solmux is the only cough medicine in the market with carbocisteine with zinc.