Cough
When to see your GP
Source: NHS
In this topic (4)
There's usually no need to see your GP if you or your childhave a mild cough for a week or two. However, you should seek medical advice if:
- you've had a cough for more than three weeks
- your cough is particularly severe or isgetting worse
- you cough up blood or experience shortness of breath , breathing difficulties or chest pain
- you have any other worrying symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss , a persistent change in your voice,or lumps or swellings in your neck
If your GP is unsure what's causing your cough, they may refer you to a hospital specialist for an assessment. They may also request some tests, such asa chest X-ray , allergy tests , breathing tests, and an analysis of a sample of your phlegm to check for infection.
Articles for Cough
Introduction
Read about some of the main causes or short- and long-term coughs, when to see your GP, and what treatments are available.
What can cause a cough?
Some of the main causes of short-term (acute) and persistent (chronic) coughs are outlined below. Short-term coughs Common causes of a short-term cough include: an upper respiratory tract infection (
What treatments are available?
Treatment isn't always necessary for mild, short-term coughs because it's likely to be a viral infection that will getbetter on its own within a few weeks. You can look after yourself at home by resti
When to see your GP
There's usually no need to see your GP if you or your childhave a mild cough for a week or two. However, you should seek medical advice if: you've had a cough for more than three weeks your cough is