Body Aches, Chills, and No Fever: 11 Causes and Remedies

What Causes A Productive Cough?

A cough is your body's way of protecting your lungs. Sometimes when you cough, you can bring up mucus, also called phlegm or sputum. When that happens, it's called a "wet" or "productive" cough.

When you have one, it may sound and feel like something is rattling around in your lungs. This kind of cough may happen because of an infection or another health condition.

Ask your doctor what's going on. Ongoing coughs are one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor. The quickest way to feel better is to find out what's making all that mucus.

There are ways to treat the things that cause productive coughs.

Antibiotics won't help with a cough unless it's caused by bacteria. Photo credit: E+/Getty Images.

Viruses cause colds. You cough because your body is trying to get rid of mucus that's full of germs. You're more likely to get a cold in cooler months. But you can get one at any time of year.

In addition to your cough, you may:

Get a runny nose

Have a sore throat

Sneeze a lot

Treatment for a cold includes plenty of rest and fluids. You can ease some of your symptoms with over-the-counter medicine. But drugs can't cure your cold.

You'll probably get better in 7-10 days. If you don't, or if you get symptoms like a fever or aches, talk with your doctor.

A cough coupled with body aches could be a sign of a more serious illness. The flu, caused by the influenza virus, can have symptoms similar to those of a cold. But you'll usually feel a lot worse when you have the flu. You could have:

Fever

Chills

Muscle aches

Serious tiredness

Treatment for the flu may include drugs that will go to work on the virus. Over-the-counter medicine can ease many of your symptoms. Check in with your doctor if your cough or fever gets worse after it gets better. Call them right away if you have a hard time breathing.

The best way to prevent the flu is with a yearly vaccine. Most people who are at least 6 months old can get one. Vaccines are even more vital if you have another health condition or if you're 65 or older. That's because you're more likely to get really sick from infections like the flu.

This "chest cold" usually lasts about 3 weeks. It makes you cough because the airways in your lungs swell and make a lot of mucus. This kind of inflammation usually shows up after a viral infection. But bacteria can cause bronchitis, too.

You may have some other symptoms, including:

Chest soreness

Mild head or body aches

Tiredness and lack of energy

Fever

A wheezing sound when you breathe

Sore throat

Treatment for acute bronchitis includes fluids, rest, and over-the-counter drugs.

Your doctor probably won't prescribe antibiotics. But if your cough keeps coming back, or if you have blood in your mucus or a hard time breathing, give your doctor a call.

A lung infection – which is what pneumonia is – can make your air sacs fill up with fluid or pus. You may cough up a lot of green or yellow mucus. It may have blood in it. Usually, bacteria cause pneumonia. But fungal or viral infections, like the flu and COVID-19, can bring it, too.

Your symptoms may be mild or serious. Call your doctor right away if you have a:

Very high fever

Hard time breathing

Blue tint to your lips or fingers

What your doctor will give you for your pneumonia depends on what causes it and how sick you are. You may get over-the-counter drugs, antibiotics, or antivirals. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. And don't take cough medicine without checking with your doctor first.

You should also find out if you need to get a vaccine to make pneumonia less likely in the future.

If you find yourself coughing every night, it may be a sign of postnasal drip. That's when mucus drips down the back of your throat. The main causes are:

Allergies

Colds

Other infections

Sometimes, medicine or pregnancy can cause it. Kids who get something stuck in their nose may get postnasal drip, too.

You may have other symptoms, like a sore or scratchy throat. You might also feel like throwing up.

The best way to fix postnasal drip is to find out what's causing it. If your cough lasts longer than 8 weeks, talk to your doctor. They may give you medicine or another treatment you can take at home.

When you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your airways and the air sacs  in your lungs get hurt or inflamed and stop working the right way. COPD causes your lungs to make extra mucus. This often leads to a cough that won't go away. It's your body's way of trying to clear your lungs.

Smoking cigarettes is the most common cause. But it can happen because of air pollution, asthma, or your genes. You may hear COPD called emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Other than a "smoker's cough," there are other signs to watch for:

It's easy to run out of breath.

Doing something active makes you winded.

Your lungs whistle or squeak.

Your symptoms get worse with time.

Treatment can help ease your symptoms. But there's no cure for COPD. If you smoke, quit. You may also need to take medicine to help you breathe. Lifestyle changes might help, as well. Talk with your doctor if you think you may have COPD.

Controlled coughing

If you aren't coughing the right way, it can make the symptoms of COPD worse. Your airways might narrow and start to spasm, or contract. This can trap mucus and trigger an ongoing cycle.

Controlled coughing starts deep in your lungs. It saves energy and helps you get rid of as much mucus as possible. Here's how you do it:

Sit on the edge of your chair and keep both feet on the floor.

Lean forward a little.

Relax and breathe in slowly through your nose.

Fold your arms over your belly.

Lean forward and push your arms against your belly while you breathe out.

Cough two or three times as you breathe out.

Make the coughs short and sharp, and push on your belly with your arms at the same time.

Breathe in again slowly and gently through your nose.

Rest and do it again if you need to.

Your cough could be a sign of a genetic condition. If you have cystic fibrosis (CF), you can't clear out mucus very well. Bacteria can grow inside all that phlegm. That could give you a higher chance of getting other lung infections, which can also make you cough.

Other signs of CF include:

Wheezing

Clubbed fingers and toes

Stomach problems

You'll need ongoing treatment if you have cystic fibrosis. Your doctor can teach you special ways to clear your airways. They can also give you medicine to prevent infections and help your lungs work better. In some cases, you may need surgery.

Your airways can get loose and scarred. When this happens, mucus can get stuck. Your body coughs to move it out of your lungs. Cystic fibrosis is just one condition that leads to bronchiectasis. It can also happen after a lung infection, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis. Blockages like tumors can also cause it. Sometimes, you're born with it.

Other symptoms of bronchiectasis include:

Shortness of breath

Wheezing

Clubbed fingers and toes

Serious tiredness

Treatment for bronchiectasis includes medicine, lots of fluids, and chest physical therapy (CPT). Surgery may help if the damage is in only one part of your lung.

How To Choose The Best Cough Medicine

In the same way that there are different types of coughs, there are two different types of over-the-counter cough medicines to help ease acute coughing caused by a cold or flu.

Antitussives: Otherwise known as cough suppressants, antitussives block the cough reflex by decreasing activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing. Some brand names include Triaminic Cold and Cough and Robitussin Cough.

Expectorants: This type of cough medicine works to thin mucus, which can in turn help your cough move mucus out, clearing your airway. Two expectorant brand names include Mucinex and Robitussin Chest Congestion.

The type of cough medicine that will work best for you will depend on the issue you're dealing with. "An expectorant is typically used for a wet cough (caused by the common cold, bronchitis, etc.) to help clear congestion from the respiratory tract, whereas an antitussive is used for a dry cough to control the cough reflex," explains Niraj Patel, D.O., an Atlanta-based, board-certified family medicine physician, medical director of GoodRx Care and a Forbes Health Advisory Board member. "It is especially useful for those that have a dry cough that is preventing them from sleeping at night."

Prescription Cough Medicine

For most individuals, over-the-counter cough medicine is helpful in relieving symptoms, but occasionally, your doctor may decide a prescription cough medicine is necessary. Two of the most common prescription cough ingredients are hydrocodone and codeine.

Hydrocodone: An opioid cough suppressant, hydrocodone is used to treat a persistent dry cough. It affects the part of the brain responsible for the cough reflex. Hydrocodone is not to be given to children younger than 18, and because it is considered an opioid, has a high risk of misuse and dependence. It can also make you feel drowsy, and may cause nausea and constipation.

Codeine: An opioid pain reliever, codeine is often used in combination with other medications to ease coughing. Like hydrocodone, codeine accesses the part of the brain responsible for the coughing reflex, and works to decrease activity. Also like hydrocodone, codeine can be extremely habit forming, should not be used in children under 18 and can come with serious side effects, such as stomach pain and difficulty with urination.

People who should be extra aware of using cough medications that include codeine or hydrocodone are those with former drug misuse issues, as well as those with an underlying lung disease like emphysema, since they can suppress the ability to breathe, explains Elliot Dinetz, M.D., a double board-certified family medicine and functional medicine physician based in Miami, Florida and a Forbes Health Advisory Board member. "There are also issues surrounding overdosing," Dr. Dinetz continues, "which is why [prescription cough medicines] are not typically recommended."

"Hydrocodone and codeine are not routinely used in the treatment of cough due to their addiction potential and possible sedation," agrees Dr. Patel.

Best Cough Medicine for COVID-19

While there are currently a few treatments available for COVID-19, including monoclonal antibody therapy and antiviral pills such as Paxlovid, if you and your doctor have decided you have a mild case that can be treated at home, you can ease your COVID-19-induced cough the same way you would ease a cough caused by the cold or the flu—using home remedies and OTC cough medicines, if you choose.

How To Treat A Dry Cough Naturally And Medicinally

Dry coughs can be uncomfortable. However, there are a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) medications available at your local drugstore that may help ease your cough.

Decongestants

Decongestants are OTC medications that treat congestion in the nose and sinuses.

When you contract a virus, such as the common cold, decongestants will constrict the blood vessels in your nose. This can reduce swelling and make it easier to breathe. They may also lessen postnasal drip.

Several types of decongestants are available, but the most common brand-name decongestants in the United States include:

Important

It's recommended that children under age 12 don't take decongestants. The risk of dangerous side effects is too high. Decongestants should never be given to children under 2 because of serious side effects such as seizures and rapid heart rate.

If you're looking for a cold medication for your child, never give them one meant for adults. Instead, choose an OTC medication specifically formulated for children and follow the manufacturer's instructions or talk with a doctor.

Cough suppressants and expectorants

There are really two types of OTC cough medications: cough suppressants and cough expectorants.

Cough suppressants (antitussives): These medications quiet your cough by blocking your cough reflex. This is helpful for dry coughs that are painful or that keep you up at night. The primary OTC cough suppressant medication is dextromethorphan (Robitussin, Delsym, Theraflu Thin Strips Cough).

Expectorants: These are better for wet coughs and work by thinning the mucus in your airway so you can more easily cough it up. The most commonly used OTC expectorant is guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin Cough Congestion, Vicks DayQuil).

Prescription medications

If OTC treatments don't help relieve your cough, contact a doctor. Depending on the underlying condition that's causing the cough, a doctor may prescribe:

an oral antihistamine for seasonal allergies

inhaled corticosteroids for asthma

antibiotics for infections

acid blockers for acid reflux

Some of these home remedies haven't been extensively studied or proven effective. Instead, most of the support is anecdotal. Not all of these home remedies for dry cough are appropriate for babies and children.

Menthol cough drops

Menthol cough drops are available at most drugstores. These medicated lozenges contain compounds from the mint family. They have a powerful cooling effect that soothes irritated tissue and relaxes the cough reflex.

That said, it's a good idea to use these sparingly. There is research suggesting that using too many menthol cough drops can actually worsen your cough.

Humidifier

A humidifier is a machine that adds moisture to the air. Dry air, which is common in heated homes, can aggravate inflamed throat tissue.

Using a humidifier in your bedroom at night can help loosen mucus, ease breathing, and make you more comfortable while you're sleeping.

For young children, use a cool-mist vaporizer. Humidifiers that use heating elements and hot water could burn a child if they tip it over.

Soup, broth, tea, or another hot beverage

Warm liquids like soup and tea help add moisture while providing immediate relief for sore and scratchy throats.

Warm liquids also help keep you hydrated, which is essential to the healing process.

In general, if you have a dry cough, then fluids are your friend. Staying hydrated helps ensure your throat stays moist so it can heal properly. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, but more is better.

Honey

Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the throat. It can also help break down mucus and soothe sore throats.

Try adding honey to a cup of warm tea or warm water with lemon. Or just eat a spoonful every time the coughing returns.

A 2018 review found that honey was as effective as diphenhydramine, which is used in Benadryl, for children with a cough. However, it wasn't as effective as dextromethorphan, which is used in Delsym and Robitussin.

Important

Babies under the age of 12 months should not be given honey due to the risk of botulism. For older children, honey can be used to soothe a dry cough.

Saltwater gargle

Salt water soothes inflamed tissue and promotes healing. The salt can also kill bacteria in the mouth and throat.

A 2019 study found that gargling with salt water three times per day reduced the duration of a cough by 2.4 days. It also reduced the duration of vocal hoarseness, sneezing, and a blocked nose.

To make a saltwater gargle, mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water and take a sip. Tilt your head back and gargle gently for 30 seconds, then spit. Never swallow the salt water.

Herbs

Many herbs have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the swelling in your throat.

Herbs are also chock-full of antioxidants, which can help boost your immune system.

Herbs used to treat dry cough include:

You can add herbs to your diet by brewing them into teas or adding them to your favorite recipes. You can also look for supplements and extracts at your local health food store.

Steam inhalation

Like warm or hot water from drinks, steam from hot water can help moisturize the dry and irritated tissues in your nasal passages and throat. It can also ease irritation in sore throats and reduce coughs.

Heat water in the microwave, a kettle, or on the stove. Then, pour the water into a bowl. Place a towel over your head and the bowl, and slowly inhale the warm, moist air for 2 to 3 minutes.

You can also take a hot shower and breathe in the steam while you bathe. If you don't need the shower but want the steam, close the door to the bathroom, turn on a hot shower, and let the steam build. Take in deep breaths of the moist air.

Important

Don't breathe in steam directly over a pot of boiling water. You can severely burn your skin.

Bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples. It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce swollen and irritated throat tissue.

Bromelain may also help break down mucus. You can get a small dose of bromelain in a glass of pineapple juice, but many people prefer to take supplements, which have a much higher concentration.

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds that your body needs to function properly. Different vitamins serve different purposes. For example, vitamin C plays an important role in your immune system.

To get the most bang for your buck, look for a multivitamin at your local drugstore.

Probiotics

Probiotics are healthy bacteria taken in supplement form that can improve your gut bacteria. They don't help relieve a cough directly, but a healthy balance of bacteria keeps your gut healthy and strengthens your immune system so you can fight off infection.

Diet

You might think that food only irritates your stomach or gastrointestinal system, but some foods could be responsible for a dry cough.

A cough can be a symptom of food allergies. If you experience a dry cough after eating a certain type of food, avoid the food for a while to see if the coughing stops.

Acid reflux can cause a dry cough, too. High fat foods and acidic foods, like tomatoes, are frequently responsible for acid reflux. Chocolate, caffeine, and spicy foods can also worsen acid reflux symptoms like a dry cough.

Avoid irritants in the environment

When irritants enter your respiratory system, they can trigger the cough reflex and slow down the healing process. Common irritants include smoke, pollen, or perfumes.

Consider taking these measures to help make your environment less triggering:

Use an air purifier: Air purifiers help clear the air of allergens and irritants like dust, pollen, and pet dander.

Cool-mist humidifier: Dry air outside or in your home can irritate a cough. Heated air is especially irritating for coughs. A humidifier adds moisture back into the air, which can help keep your nasal passageways lubricated.

Eliminate smoke: Smoke from cigarettes, vaping pens, or cannabis can irritate your throat and worsen a dry cough.

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