5 yo coughing. can self medicate? what medicine off the shelf is gd for cough?

It is better to consult a pd or Go Doctor first which i usually do so. u can try to put onions in the room which can help to absorb the virus like cough/flu away. just slice a white onion in half and put in e room where your child sleeps. replace a new onion daily. sometimes it just take a few hours or 1 day to work but more server virus might take a like 1 week or so. it really works individually. no harm trying. Hope it helps.