This is interesting ... If you’re a victim of this year’s terrible flu, or any of the other nasty bugs causing general respiratory distress, Dr. Mark Ebell sends his sympathies.



But if you’re tempted to head to the doctor to demand drugs for the hacking cough that came with your illness, he’s got another message: Wait a little longer.

A new study shows that although most people think a cough ought to last no more than a week or so, the duration of the most annoying symptom of winter illness is about 18 days -- and could be more than three weeks.

A new study shows that although most people think a cough ought to last no more than a week or so, the duration of the most annoying symptom of winter illness is about 18 days -- and could be more than three weeks.

Taking antibiotics in the interim is not only ineffective, it could also prompt dangerous side effects -- and contribute to the country’s growing problem with bugs becoming resistant to the drugs used to treat them. Read more

From vitals.nbcnews.com