Cough: home care, video advice and when to get help

What usually causes a cough

The NHS says most coughs are caused by a cold or flu. Other causes include smoking, acid reflux, allergies such as hay fever, infections such as bronchitis or COVID-19, and mucus dripping down the back of the throat from the nose. A cough is rarely a sign of something serious.

A chest infection often follows a cold or flu. It tends to bring a chesty cough with green or yellow mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and a high temperature. These symptoms usually ease in about 7 to 10 days, although the cough and mucus can last up to 3 weeks.

What you can do at home

• Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Water helps loosen mucus so it is easier to cough up.
• Try a drink of hot lemon and honey. Do not give honey to babies under 1 year, or hot drinks to small children.
• Raise your head with extra pillows at night if your chest feels congested.
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or a high temperature, checking the leaflet first.
• Do not smoke, because it can make symptoms worse.
• Stay at home and away from others if you have a high temperature or feel too unwell for your normal activities.

A pharmacist can suggest cough syrups, medicines or sweets. The NHS notes that these will not stop a cough but may help you cough less, and that some are not suitable for young children.

When a video consultation suits a cough

Book a doctor if your cough has lasted more than 3 weeks, you are losing weight for no reason, or you have a weakened immune system, for example because of diabetes or chemotherapy. With a chest infection, also speak to a doctor if you feel very unwell, are pregnant, are over 65 or have a long-term heart, lung or kidney condition.

On a call, the doctor will ask how long you have had the cough, whether it is dry or brings up mucus and what colour it is, whether you have a temperature or feel short of breath, whether you smoke, and whether you get heartburn or allergies. They can hear the sound of the cough and watch your breathing.

The NHS points out that antibiotics are not normally prescribed for coughs, and are only given if you need them, for example for a bacterial infection.

When you need to be seen in person

To find the cause, a doctor may listen to your chest with a stethoscope, test a sample of mucus, or arrange an X-ray, an allergy test or a test of how well your lungs work. The DHA telehealth standard lists a chest X-ray as mandatory when pneumonia is being considered for teleprescribing, so a suspected pneumonia will mean a visit.

Ask for an urgent appointment the same day if your cough is very bad or getting worse quickly, you have chest pain, the side of your neck is swollen and painful, you find it hard to breathe, or you are coughing up blood.

Signs that need 998

Call 998 or go to an emergency department if you get sudden chest pain, have severe difficulty breathing, gasping, choking or being unable to get words out, or start coughing up blood. Do not drive yourself.

Which doctor to see

Start with a general practitioner or family medicine doctor. For children, a paediatrician can help. Every doctor listed on medicAI practises at an independent facility licensed by DHA or DoH, and that facility provides your care, while medicAI provides the app you use to book and join the call.