Crude cough: what should you know?

The word crude does not identify one disease. A cough with a hoarse voice may involve the upper airway; mucus, wheeze or chest tightness can point toward lower-airway irritation. Cough after meals or when lying down can occur with acid reflux, while sneezing and nasal drainage may accompany allergic rhinitis. A cough can also occur with acute bronchitis, asthma or other lung conditions, so timing and associated symptoms matter.

Rest, drink fluids and avoid smoke, strong fragrances and dusty air. Honey may soothe a cough for adults and children older than one year, but never give honey to an infant. Follow prescribed inhaler instructions and do not use leftover antibiotics. Arrange a medical review if the cough is persistent, recurrent or interfering with sleep, activity or eating.

Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, blue lips, confusion, fainting, chest pain or coughing blood. A child who struggles to breathe, becomes unusually sleepy or cannot drink needs urgent assessment. Prompt review is also appropriate for a high fever, worsening symptoms or a cough that continues beyond the expected recovery from a cold.

Tell the clinician when the cough started, whether it is dry or brings up mucus, and what makes it worse. Ask whether you need a chest examination, inhaler review or assessment for reflux, allergy or an ongoing airway condition.