Laura, Sparco just said the same thing that I had been thinking.
As I understand with my limited knowledge, the pads would be useful in removing things like heavy metals and other such toxins.
Your cough is likely to be either viral or bacterial, possibly both in that order.
Have you ever tried electronic medical devices? Do a search for Beck blood electrifier, magnetic pulsers or rife. Shop around and if you can afford one, they are the best and most effective ways of getting rid of these conditions. The following is a site that is full of information on this topic, although you may want to purchase elsewhere.
www.bioelectric.ws/eng/
Many blessings to you
ALi