What should you know about cold and cough?

A cold commonly causes a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, tiredness, and a cough. The cough may begin when mucus drains from the nose into the throat, or when the breathing tubes become irritated. A cough can also continue after other cold symptoms ease because airway sensitivity takes time to settle.

A cough is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Acute bronchitis can present with a cough after an infection, while allergic rhinitis may cause throat irritation and coughing alongside nasal symptoms. Asthma can present with cough, wheezing, chest tightness, or breathlessness. Acid reflux can trigger a recurring cough, especially after meals or when lying down. Ongoing or unusual symptoms deserve an assessment rather than a guess at the cause.

Rest when you feel unwell and drink enough fluid to keep your mouth moist and your urine a usual pale colour. Warm drinks may soothe an irritated throat. Saline nasal drops or spray can help loosen nasal mucus. Avoid cigarette smoke and other irritants, and consider a humidified room if dry air worsens the cough.

Use medicines only as directed on the label or by a pharmacist. Check combination cold products carefully so you do not take the same ingredient twice. Honey may soothe a cough for adults and children older than one year, but it must not be given to infants under one year. Antibiotics do not treat viral colds; a clinician can advise if another cause is suspected.

Seek urgent care for severe or worsening breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, coughing blood, or chest pain that is severe or does not settle. A child who is struggling to breathe, unusually drowsy, or unable to drink needs prompt assessment.

Arrange a medical review if fever is persistent or returns after improving, you cannot keep fluids down, you are becoming dehydrated, or the cough is worsening instead of settling. Book an appointment for a cough that continues beyond the expected recovery period, keeps disturbing sleep, repeatedly returns, or occurs with wheezing or breathlessness. People with asthma, chronic lung disease, a weakened immune system, or significant heart disease should seek advice earlier.

Ask what may be driving the cough and whether your chest needs examination. You can also ask which symptom medicines are suitable with your existing conditions and medicines, whether an inhaler or other test is appropriate, and which changes should prompt urgent help. Tell the clinician when the cough began, whether it is dry or produces mucus, what makes it worse, and whether you have fever, wheezing, chest pain, reflux symptoms, or exposure to smoke or illness.