Coughs

What causes coughs?

A cough is a reflex action to clear your airways of phlegm and irritants such as dust or smoke. It’s rarely a sign of anything serious.

A dry cough means it’s tickly and doesn’t produce any mucus (phlegm).

A chesty cough means phlegm is produced to help clear your airways.

A sudden cough is most commonly caused by a virus infection in connection with a cold or flu, but could be coronavirus.

A longer-lasting cough is more common in smokers and people with underlying lung problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A longer-lasting cough may also be more common in those with allergies such as hay fever. Other conditions such as heartburn (gastric reflux) as well as certain medicines or dusty workplaces can also make you cough. If you smoke, quitting is likely to help improve your cough.

Viral Infections

Many adults get a respiratory infection between 2-5 times a year. Most coughs clear up within 3 weeks and don’t need any treatment.

What can I expect to happen?

The common viruses are Rhinovirus, Coronavirus and Influenza. These can last up to three weeks if you are fit and well. These infections can cause mild fever, sore throat, joint pain, cough, congestion, runny nose and loss of appetite. Some, Corona virus, can also affect our sense of taste and smell but this should return.

Coughs are usually harmless
Although a cough can be distressing (both for yourself and others living or working with you), acute coughs that are not coronavirus- related tend to be harmless and usually improve within three weeks.

No need for antibiotics
When you have a cough from a virus infection, you won’t need antibiotics. They won’t work and may do more harm than good. But see the section below on when to seek medical advice.

Duration
Coughs usually last up to three weeks, but can last for up to eight weeks. Coughs can be dry or may come with a thick mucus (phlegm).

What can I do to help myself to get better – now and in the future?
Remember that you can ask a member of your pharmacy team for advice.

Medications that may help relieve the symptoms

Paracetamol and ibuprofen: Paracetamol and ibuprofen can help with relieving symptoms that may come with a cough and cold, such as a sore throat, fever, and not feeling well. Always read the label and instructions before using them.

Cough mixtures and medicines: For many over the counter medicines we don’t know how well they work, but you may still find them useful. A herbal medicine, pelargonium is sometimes used for over 12s as are cough remedies containing guaifenesin. Speak with a member of your pharmacy team.

Home remedies

Simple home remedies, such as ‘honey and lemon’ can help. Add freshly squeezed juice from half a lemon and one to two teaspoons of honey to a mug of boiled water and drink while still warm.

• Steam or menthol inhalations
• Rest
• Good Multi vitamin
• Take paracetamol for any aches and pains
• Cough syrups to help bring up any mucus
• Look after your gut microbiome
• Reduce the risk of unnecessary transmission with the very young or frail.
• Vaccinations in preparation for winter virus season. 

Water: Drink at least six to nine glasses of water in a day, especially if you feel thirsty.

Stop smoking: Smoking is a common reason for an ongoing cough. If you can stop smoking – or at least smoke less – your cough is likely to get better in the long-term. You’ll feel better and your health will also benefit in other ways – Join our Stop Smoking Pathway

Bacterial Infections

The colour of your sputum has no relationship between Viral and Bacterial respiratory infections. You can develop a bacterial infection after contracting a viral illness.

At Well BN you may be requested to submit a sputum sample to allow us to confirm the presence of bacteria and target the treatment with a specific antibiotic. You may be asked to have a Chest X-ray.

Bacterial infections will generally get worse in the first two weeks and be accompanied by a high temperature differing from viral illness where you generally improve in the first 5-7 days and the fever is not persistent.

Digestive causes such as GORD

GORD (gastro-oesophogeal reflux disease) is where small particles of stomach acid are inhaled or aspirated causing you to

• cough or
• feeling of acid in the back of your throat
• pain / burning in your throat.

This can be brought on by

• Diet
• Alcohol use
• Smoking
• Hiatus hernia
• And sometimes can be pregnancy related.

When should you seek medical help?

Seek medical advice if you feel more unwell than you’d expect or if you notice any of the warning symptoms below:

Severity: Your cough is really bad or gets worse quickly – especially if it’s a ‘hacking’ cough or you can’t stop coughing

Duration: Your cough lasts longer than three weeks

Foreign body: You cough after you’ve choked on something

Chest or shoulder pain: You have chest and/or shoulder pain

Breathlessness: You also find it harder to breathe, or you breathe faster than normal

Blood: Seek medical advice if you cough up small amounts of blood. If you cough up larger amounts, seek medical advice urgently

Swollen glands: The side of your neck feels swollen and painful

You have a weakened immune system For example, through diabetes or chemotherapy

You have a long-term health condition, such as a heart, lung or kidney condition

You feel very unwell or your symptoms get worse

You’ve had a high temperature for more than 3 days

You cough up blood or bloodstained mucus

You’re pregnant

You’re over 65

If you have symptoms of a respiratory tract infection and any of the above please request an appointment where your symptoms will be reviewed. 

In the interim please try 

• Steam or menthol inhalations
• Rest
• Good Multi vitamin
• Take paracetamol for any aches and pains
• Cough syrups to help bring up any mucus
• Look after your gut microbiome
• Reduce the risk of unnecessary transmission with the very young or frail.