Bad cough: what to know

A cough clears mucus and irritants from the airways. A common cold or acute bronchitis can trigger a cough that lingers after a respiratory infection. Allergic rhinitis can cause coughing when nasal mucus drains into the throat. Asthma can present mainly as cough or can include wheeze and chest tightness. Acid reflux may irritate the throat, particularly after meals or when lying down.

A cough that lasts, returns often, produces large amounts of mucus, or disrupts sleep should be assessed. Bronchiectasis can present with a long-term wet cough and repeated chest infections. Bronchiolitis is relevant to babies and young children with cough and breathing changes.

Drink fluids, rest, and try warm drinks if your throat feels raw. Avoid tobacco smoke, vaping aerosols, dust, and strong fragrances when these trigger coughing. Honey may soothe a cough in adults and children over one year, but it is not suitable for infants. Check any cough medicine with a pharmacist, especially if you take regular medicines, have asthma, or are caring for a child. Antibiotics are not automatically needed for a cough.

Get urgent help if you are struggling to breathe, have blue or grey lips, severe chest pain, confusion, fainting, or cough up blood. Seek prompt advice for a rapidly worsening cough, high fever with marked weakness, dehydration, or noisy breathing. Arrange a routine assessment when a cough persists, keeps recurring, affects sleep, or is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or a change in your usual voice.

Does the cough sound more like infection, asthma, allergy, reflux, or another airway problem? Should I have my chest examined or breathing tested? Which home treatments and medicines are safe with my health history?