Cough :
A cough is a forceful, involuntary action to expel irritants from the respiratory passageway like mucus, dust, and debris, for instance. There are various causes of coughs including viral infections, allergic disorders, flu, pneumonia, common cold, allergies, asthma, smoking, among environmental irritants. In terms of duration there are two major types of coughs that are acute or chronic. The former lasts less than three weeks whereas the latter lasts longer over eight weeks. Symptoms besides the cough are associated with sore throat and chest pain include production of mucus. The treatment depends on cause, often minor, cough drops, hydration and inhaling steam will abate the cough or continues to worsen and oral medications such as cough suppressants, antibiotics if bacterial, or inhalers with use, if the cough is of an asthma etiology.