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Chest infections - adult - Management
Self-care interventions
- Preventing dehydration in people with acute bronchitis:
- Advise people to observe the frequency and colour of their urine. Fluid intake should be increased if urine is passed infrequently and is dark in colour.
- Many cough medicines are available to buy over the counter, and may have already been tried by the person presenting with acute bronchitis. Products available for cough may contain dextromethorphan, menthol, sedating antihistamines, codeine, or pholcodine.
- Some people may find cough medicines soothing, although this is likely to be a placebo response. If a person is already taking a cough medicine they believe is relieving symptoms, then there is probably no harm in them continuing with that product.
- If the person enquires about other chest treatments, advise them that they are probably not effective. This includes the use of beta-agonists and Chinese herbal medicines.
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