Take Action
While recovering at home:

• Drink lots of fluids. Aim for a glass of water an hour. This helps thin out the mucus
  in the lung so it is easier to cough out.
  
• Don’t suppress a cough with medicine if the patient is coughing up mucus. That mucus needs to come out.
  
• Do suppress a dry, painful cough with medicine if the patient is not coughing up mucus.
  
• A humidifier helps to increase the moisture in the air. Be sure to clean the humidifier every day.
  
• Use the heat from a heating pad or hot compresses to relieve chest pain.
  
• Catch sneezes or coughs with disposable tissue to keep from giving the infection to others.

  Last updated: 01-Jan-00