Looks like an evil little critter hitchhiked a ride on my unsuspecting husband.

Poor Judd’s been dealing with a lung-busting, rib-cracking cough for a couple of days (and nights) now.  I had my fingers crossed that it was something an antibiotic would quickly put to flight, but according to  the doctor  that wretched beast (the critter, not Judd) is a virus.  A virus just laughs in the face of antibiotics and goes about its nasty business.

So looks like it’s fluids, rest and guaifenesin for the duration.

Some other stuff that’s helped:

• Amping up hot tea with cinnamon sticks and crystallized ginger.  Besides being nummy, it helps open things up.
• Ginger tea. It’s an acquired taste for some people, but there aren’t words for how much we love it. It’s said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, plus it helps to clear sinuses and reduce post-nasal drip, which triggers coughing.
• Comfortably-spicy (as in, doesn’t burn your tonsils out) foods. Mexican, Cajun, and mild-to-medium Indian curries seem to work really well in our household.  Seems to open things up and make breathing easier.
• A fabulous chicken soup recipe I came across last flu season.  At first I was leery about cinnamon and lemon playing a feature role in chicken soup, but I gotta tell you not only does it smell heavenly, it tastes great.  There’s also a ton of garlic–20 cloves roasted in olive oil.  This soup does a great job of relieving congestion, plus it leaves you feeling warm and cozy.  It also freezes/reheats really well.
• Sleeping whenever and wherever the spirit moves you.  Sleep is an incredibly powerful medicine and a great healer.
• Accepting the fact that a virus has its own schedule and doesn’t give a rat’s ass about chore lists or weekend plans.

On that note, I’m off to check on my favorite patient.

Take care, and may the Force be with you!