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Honey better for coughs than antibiotics
Doctors in the United Kingdom have some new advice for people with coughs. They are advising people not to visit a doctor to get treatment. Instead, people who have a cough should drink or eat honey or get some medicine from a drugstore. The doctors say that in most cases, honey and over-the-counter medicines will work and people do not need antibiotics. The doctors added that most of the time, a cough will improve on its own within two to three weeks even if you take nothing. Many of us visit a doctor at a hospital or clinic if we have a cough. Public health officials in England say this is largely a waste of time. They say antibiotics do little to make a cough go away.
Doctors say we are using antibiotics too much and this can be bad for us. Many viruses and infections are becoming resistant to antibiotics, so medicines are becoming less effective. Doctors say this is leading to the creation of superbugs. These can be very dangerous to our health. The doctors said honey can be very effective in soothing a sore throat and making other symptoms disappear. A hot drink with honey is a traditional and well-known remedy for coughs and sore throats. People also add lemon or ginger to it. Using honey may be better for children with coughs. Many children do not like the taste of medicine but love the taste of honey. Younger children generally do not like visiting a doctor.
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Discussion
What do you take for a cough?
Why do we get coughs?
What's the worst cough you've ever had?
What is your advice for someone with a cough?
Do you think medicine is good for a cough?
Is it better to let a cough get better on its own?
What do you know about antibiotics?
Is it best to go to a hospital if you have a cough?
