cough with chest pain

[nestleshopping]

I am one of the millions of people in this country without health insurance.  Therefore, I am reduced to trying to medicate my children at home.  My son got a cold and now has a dry, persistent cough with chest pain.  What would be the best over the counter medication for these types of symptoms.  He is an asthmatic as well, however, he is not wheezing or experiencing any symptoms related to asthma.  He also does not have a fever, but I am concerned that it could be a bronchial or upper respiratory infection.  

I would appreciate any assistance you could give.

Thanks!

[specialmom]

Oh, I forgot to mention as well----  if you aren't using a humidifyer, I'd start using one.  I think they really help a dry cough as well.

[specialmom]

Yes, I put in my pm about honey too.  It may be an old wives tale as far as actually supressing cough but it soothes the throat and my kids see it as part of the 'fix the cough' routine.  good luck----  

[margypops]

PS Honey is good for a dry cough, is he taking a food supplement VitC and VIt B complex also fish oil

[specialmom]

Hi,  that stinks about the insurance.  If you have the money, you don't need insurance at an urgent care but can pay the office visit fee.  We paid out of pocket for a visiting guest and while not cheap, it also was less than I expected.  So, check into that.  

The tricky part with cough medicine is that if you supress a cough, you could end up causing a chest infection such as bronchitis.  Ugh.  You have to be careful of that.  But as his cough isn't productive, that may not be as much of a risk.  

Coughs linger and a person can have them for quite a while due to irritation caused from coughing itself.  My sons are the kings of coughing and one of them especially gags with it and vomits.  I feel your pain----  coughs stink.

Am I allowed to mention brand names here?  I'll pm you with the over the counter cough product that I have found pretty effective.  good luck

[margypops]

You can in this country go to the many free clinics and also the ER if a child needs assistance and in fact yourself, go to the search engine and put in Free Clinic and your area .For a dry cough there are childs meds in the stores , they have banned some ,they do a chart online here is the link of safe meds   www.babycenter.com/0...kids-fever-cough-and-cold-medicine...   This year and last year children have been 20% sicker than a few years ago, many virus recurring.Good luck