Cough
Pending clinical review Educational information from public health sources, pending clinical review. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice.
A cough usually clears up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks. A cough is rarely a sign of something serious.
Get emergency help now (call your local emergency number (112 in India)) if you have:
- Severe difficulty breathing, or blue or grey lips or skin
- Chest pain with the cough
Contact a doctor or clinician today if you have:
- Coughing up blood
- A cough that has lasted more than 3 weeks
- Losing weight without trying, or a swelling or lump in the neck
When to see a clinician
- The cough has lasted more than 3 weeks or is getting worse.
- You feel very unwell, or have a weakened immune system or a long-term condition.
What it can be associated with
This page cannot tell you what is causing your symptom. Many different things, minor and serious, can cause the same symptom, and only a clinician who can examine you can assess it. The list of things a symptom can be associated with is in alphabetical order, not in order of how likely they are.
- A cold or flu
- Allergies such as hay fever
- Heartburn (acid reflux)
- Infections such as bronchitis or COVID-19
- Mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose
- Smoking
General self-care
- Rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Stay at home and avoid contact with others if you have a high temperature or feel unwell.
For medicines, ask a pharmacist or doctor; SuperHealthyAI does not advise on medicines or doses.
Check for warning signs
Tick any that apply now. This does not diagnose anything; it tells you how soon to get help.
Sources
This page is general education, not personal medical advice. For diagnosis, treatment or medicines, please talk to a qualified doctor, registered dietitian or pharmacist. Read our medical & AI disclaimer.