When you should see your GP

Visit your GP if:

• your symptoms suggest you may have pneumonia for example, if you're coughing up bloody mucus and phlegm
• you have a pre-existing heart, lung, liver or kidney condition
• you have a long-term lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma
• you have a condition that affects your nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis
• you have cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis
• you have a weakened immune system
• your cough has persisted for more than three weeks, you're losing weight, you have chest pain or if there are any lumps in your neck

It's also recommended that you visit your GP if you're over 65 years of age and you have a cough and two or more of the factors listed below, or you're over 80 years of age and have a cough and one of the following factors:

• you've been admitted to hospital at somepoint during the past year
• you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes
• you have a history of heart failure
• you're currently taking a type of steroid medication known as oral glucocorticoids for example, prednisolone

You can also ask your GP about any vaccines you can have to help protect against some RTIs. See the 'Adults' tab on The NHS vaccinations schedule pagefor more information about these.