A cough will usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks. There's usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough. You should: You could also try: But there's limited evidence to show these work. Hot lemon with honey has a similar effect to cough medicines. A pharmacist can help if you have a coughIf you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about:
These will not stop your cough, but may help you cough less. Decongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough. Information: Call a pharmacy or contact them online before going in person. You can get medicines delivered or ask someone to collect them. Find a pharmacy Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
See a GP urgently if you're coughing up blood. To find out what's causing your cough, the GP might:
What happens at your appointmentImportant: ImportantAntibiotics are not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them – for example, if you have a bacterial infection or you're at risk of complications. Most coughs are caused by a cold or flu. Other causes include:
A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer. What causes coughsVideo: coughsIn this video, a GP describes the most common causes of coughs and how they can be treated. Media last reviewed: 1 May 2021 Page last reviewed: 12 January 2021 OverviewCough into your arm to limit the spreading of viruses and bacteria into the air.What is a cough?A cough is a natural reflex that is your body’s way of removing irritants from your upper (throat) and lower (lungs) airways. A cough helps your body heal and protect itself. What are the types of cough?There are many types of cough. Some of the names for coughs describe how long they last, while other types describe how they feel or sound, and other types are actual conditions.
Types of coughs that have distinct sounds and are related to specific conditions
Who is more likely to experience a cough?Anyone can get a cough. A cough is the most common symptom reported in healthcare providers' offices. However, some people are more likely to get coughs than others. These include those who:
Possible CausesWhat are the most common causes of a cough?There are many things that can make you cough. Some of them include: Irritants or allergens
Medical conditions that can cause acute and subacute cough
Medical conditions that can cause chronic cough
Care and TreatmentWhat can be done to control or relieve a cough?Treating a cough will depend on what is causing the cough. If you have an infection, your healthcare provider might prescribe some type of antibiotic or antiviral medication, but most viral coughs do not require antiviral medications. For GERD, they might suggest diet changes or prescribe a proton pump inhibitor or an H2 blocker. Water can be good for a cough. Drinking it can help ease a cough from throat irritation or dryness. Adding it to the air with a vaporizer or a steamy shower are other ways water relieves a cough. Quitting smoking and avoiding other irritants are also ways to relieve a cough. Those irritants may include medicines, scents (like perfume or candles), smoke or allergens. What over-the-counter treatments can I use for cough?There are plenty of cough syrups and cough medications available over-the-counter for adults. In general, they have not been shown to work better than a spoon full of honey. Cough drops and butterscotch hard candies can help soothe your sore throat. You may also get relief from hot beverages like tea, especially if you put honey in them. You shouldn’t give cough medicines to your child if they’re under 6 years of age without the approval of their healthcare provider. How can cough be prevented?You can prevent some kinds of cough by avoiding irritants that you know cause you to cough. You can help prevent coughs caused by infections by:
When to Call the DoctorWhen should I call my healthcare provider about a cough?If you or your child have a chronic disease you should call your healthcare provider for specific advice. In general, call your healthcare provider if you have a cough that will not go away and these symptoms:
Go to an emergency room or call 911 if you have a cough and you:
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I know if my cough is serious?To diagnose what’s behind your cough, your healthcare provider will take a medical history, give you a physical exam, and may order some tests. As part of the exam, your provider will check your vital signs, like temperature and the number of breaths you take. They might check your oxygen levels, do a spirometry test in the office, or order a chest X-ray or lung function tests if your cough has lasted a long time. Your provider may ask:
Can pregnancy make you cough?Pregnancy doesn’t usually make you cough, but your immune system does change. This could mean that you get a cough or cold while you’re pregnant. Also, the cold or cough might last longer. Contact your healthcare provider if your illness lasts longer than you expect or if you have trouble eating, sleeping or breathing. What does it mean if I cough after eating?If you cough after eating, you might have had something “go down the wrong way,” meaning it went toward your lungs instead of your stomach. Our upper airways are set up to stop food or drink from going all the way into our lungs most of the time. If food does go toward the "wrong pipe" it’ll make you cough, but it’s not usually serious. Sometimes what you’re eating or drinking can make it past that protection and actually go into your lungs. This is called aspiration, and it can happen if you’ve got problems with swallowing or other digestive or lung issues. If you frequently have issues with coughing and eating, let your healthcare provider know. What should I know about COVID-19 and cough?Cough is a symptom of COVID-19. It can also be part of a post-COVID syndrome (or long COVID). As part of long COVID, a cough can continue for weeks or months after you’ve been infected. You’ll probably have other symptoms, too, like feeling very tired, having trouble concentrating or remembering things, and/or having trouble breathing. Contact your healthcare provider about being tested for COVID-19 if you haven’t been diagnosed with it yet. If you have, follow the suggestions of your provider about how to deal with ongoing symptoms. A note from Cleveland Clinic Having a cough often means nothing serious. It’s normal (and helpful) to cough in certain situations. Coughing helps you get rid of things in your throat and airways that are irritating or making it harder to breathe. If you also have other symptoms like trouble breathing, fever, trouble eating or sleeping, or you’re coughing up bloody or colored sputum, call your healthcare provider for advice. Because young kids can’t tell us what they're feeling, it’s a good idea to call your child’s provider if they have a cough and fever or a cough that sounds uncomfortable or concerning to you. How long does it take a normal cough to go away?Coughing is part of your natural immune defence system. It is better to cough up phlegm. Otherwise the phlegm may lodge lower in the lungs where it can cause serious infections like pneumonia. A cough will usually go away on its own within 3 weeks.
How long should I be worried about a cough?Call your doctor if your cough (or your child's cough) doesn't go away after a few weeks or if it also involves any one of these: Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm. Wheezing. Experiencing a fever.
How long does a Covid cough last?In the case of COVID-19, this cough could last for as long as six months after the viral infection, especially if the patient contracted Omicron because it is more airway dependent than the original strain.
What makes a cough last so long?While it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the problem that's triggering a chronic cough, the most common causes are tobacco use, postnasal drip, asthma and acid reflux. Fortunately, chronic cough typically disappears once the underlying problem is treated.
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How long does a cough typically last
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