Hello, I read your message carefully and understood your concern. It seems that your cough is really strong and makes you experience a lot of stress. Your cold/flu symptoms seem to aggravate to a severe cough. This means that the respiratory infection has developed further and has affected even more the respiratory tract. You may have bronchitis or pneumonia in this situation. A further consultation with your doctor and a good clinical examination is required together with chest X-ray and respiratory function test and blood tests. For the moment, I advise to: - increase fluids intake, - add oral rehydration salts to keep hydrated - sleep with an extra pillow - use mucolytics (e.g. carbocystein) to dissolve phlegm as clear mucus is present - take respiratory decongestant like anti-histaminic at bedtime - aerosol therapy with saline can help - can use herbal tea containing sage, rosemary, bay leaves and chamomile to ease the symptoms. Can inhale the steam of this tea from a teapot. - take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or mephenamic acid Hope this was helpful. Wish fast recovery. Dr.Albana