coughing spells

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #150 [color=blue]“Vocabulary Practice: Cold/Flu Season (1)”, question 2

When you get a cold or the flu, you often have to take some cough to lessen coughing spells.

(a) medicine
(b) poison
(c) bombs
(d) spills

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #150 [color=blue]“Vocabulary Practice: Cold/Flu Season (1)”, answer 2

When you get a cold or the flu, you often have to take some cough medicine to lessen coughing spells.

Correct answer: (a) medicine
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what do ,spells’’ mean in this context? time’s breaks?
thank you
;-]

coughing spells… bouts/periods of coughing.