Types of cough

A dry tickle can occur with a viral illness, irritation, asthma or acid reflux. A chesty cough brings up mucus and may occur with Acute Bronchitis, a Common Cold or Bronchiectasis. A barking cough, wheeze or cough that is worse at night can point clinicians towards different airways problems.

A cough can be short-lived or persist. Allergic Rhinitis may cause mucus to drain into the throat, while Chronic Cough needs assessment for causes such as asthma, reflux, medicines or ongoing airway irritation. The colour of mucus alone does not show whether antibiotics are needed.

Drink fluids if you can, avoid smoke and note when the cough occurs, whether you bring up mucus, and what makes it better or worse. A pharmacist can advise about suitable symptom relief, especially if you are pregnant or take regular medicines.

Arrange a clinical assessment if the cough is persistent, keeps returning, affects sleep or activity, or comes with wheeze, fever or breathlessness. Children with a harsh cough, noisy breathing or poor feeding need prompt advice.

Seek emergency help for severe difficulty breathing, blue lips, coughing up more than a small streak of blood, sudden chest pain, confusion or collapse. These signs can indicate a serious breathing or circulation problem.

Seek same-day medical advice for breathlessness, a high fever with worsening illness, chest pain when breathing, or a cough that is rapidly getting worse. People with significant lung disease or a weakened immune system may need earlier review.

Tell the clinician when the cough began, whether it is dry or produces mucus, and whether you have reflux, allergies, wheeze, fever, smoke exposure or a new medicine. Ask what warning signs to watch for and when to return.