The dangers of misinformation have become another threat amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Due to lack of proper knowledge, people tend to be confused and paranoid about the symptoms, modes of transmission, and ways to prevent the virus.

How does a regular cough differ from one that’s caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus? Is tuob a sure solution for COVID-19? Can over-the-counter (OTC) drugs help? Through the Kwentong Viral News webinar, three medical experts shed light on these common questions about COVID-19 and cough.

Causes of cough

Coughing is the body’s natural reflex to get rid of unwanted elements like smoke, dust, and other irritants as well as phlegm in the airways and lungs.

“Essentially, ang ubo ay senyales na may underlying [na problema] or meron tayong ibang sakit.” said Dr. Earl Sempio, Biochemist and Pulmonologist. (Essentially, it’s a sign of an underlying problem or sickness.)

Acute infectious coughs are caused by bacteria or viral infections that are usually accompanied by fever, body pain, and other signs of infection.

Distinguishing a regular cough from COVID-19

Contrary to misconceptions, there’s no single indicator whether a cough is COVID-19-related or not. “Mahirap sabihin na yung ubo is due to COVID-19. Ang importante kapag nagka-ubo ka, protect others. Mag-isolate na kayo muna,” (It’s not easy to determine whether a cough is due to COVID-19 or not, so if you have a cough, it’s better to protect others and self-isolate.) said Dr. Joseph Adrian Buensalido, Infectious Diseases Specialist. “Kahit ang doktor hindi namin masasabi kung COVID-19 ‘yan unless mapatest natin.” (Even doctors cannot certainly say that a patient has COVID-19 without testing.)

COVID-19 cases can be classified as mild, moderate, severe or critical depending on the severity of symptoms.

Managing COVID-19 cases at home

Dr. Buensalido likened mild COVID-19 cases to common cold or flu, which can be managed and treated at home with proper rest and intake of fluids. However, proper isolation should still be strictly observed in order to prevent the spread of the virus to other members of the household.

OTC medicines such as Carbocisteine can be helpful to relieve symptoms like coughs with thick and hard to expel phlegm while supplements like Zinc can help strengthen the immune system to fight off viruses and bacteria.

How Carbocisteine and Zinc help the body recover faster from cough

Mucolytics like Carbocisteine help clear the chest by making phlegm (mucus) less sticky and easier to cough up. Additionally, Dr. Gwen Agra, Internist and Pulmonologist, also cited a study where Carbocisteine was proven to lessen the growth of rhinovirus (common cold) in cultured human airway cells and decrease inflammatory chemicals.

“Ibig sabihin meron din siyang konting anti-inflammatory effect at nakakatulong din siyang magsuppress ng virus hindi lang sa common cold, meron din sa influenza,” she added. (It means Carbocisteine has a bit of an anti-inflammatory effect and it helps suppress viruses like the common cold and influenza.)

Zinc, on the other hand, is crucial for the growth, development, and maintenance of immune function. In fact, there are several studies that show how Zinc can help resolve the common cold faster due to its action on immunity. “Nababawasan niya ng mga dalawa hanggang tatlong araw yung illness. At ang Zinc, magaling siya actually sa viruses kasi ang number one cause ng karaniwang sipon ay rhinovirus at ang number two, even before the pandemic, ay coronavirus,” said Dr. Buensalido. (Zinc lessens the days of illness from two to three days and is great in suppressing viruses like rhinovirus and coronavirus that usually cause the common cold.)

The mucolytic and anti-inflammatory properties of Carbocisteine combined with the right levels of Zinc for immunity is definitely a powerful combination against coughs caused by viral infections.

In a local study conducted by Dr. Agra and her team among patients with non-bacterial cough, it was found that the combination of Carbocisteine and Zinc for treatment resulted in reduced severity of cough caused by virus in 3 days and resolution of cough in just 5 days compared to the 10 to 14 days of recovery.

Watch the full webinar here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/