What should you know about wet cough covid?

A wet cough during COVID-19 can bring up mucus, but the cough alone cannot confirm the infection or show how severe it is. COVID-19 may cause a cough with or without phlegm, and symptoms can overlap with a cold, bronchitis, asthma, or irritation from mucus draining from the nose. Testing and an assessment of your other symptoms are more useful than the sound of the cough alone.

A wet cough is a cough that brings mucus up from the airways. Mucus may be clear, white, yellow, or green; its colour by itself does not identify the cause or tell you whether antibiotics are needed. During a viral respiratory infection, the airways can become inflamed and produce extra mucus. The cough may continue while the airways settle, even after fever or other symptoms improve.

A wet cough is not specific to COVID-19. Other possibilities include [Acute Bronchitis](/conditions/acute-bronchitis/), [Common Cold](/conditions/common-cold/), [Allergic Rhinitis](/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/), or [Acid Reflux](/conditions/acid-reflux/). Wheezing or a history of [Asthma](/conditions/asthma/) can change how the cough should be assessed.

Follow local advice about testing, staying home, and limiting close contact while you have a suspected or confirmed infection. Rest, drink fluids if you can do so safely, and avoid cigarette smoke, vaping, dust, and strong fragrances. A warm drink may soothe the throat. Do not start antibiotics or combine cough medicines without checking whether they are suitable for you, especially if you are pregnant, have a long-term condition, or take regular medicines.

Keep track of whether breathing, fever, chest discomfort, energy, and fluid intake are improving or worsening. If mucus and cough continue beyond the expected recovery period, or repeatedly return, a clinician may consider conditions such as [Chronic Cough](/conditions/chronic-cough/) or [Bronchiectasis](/conditions/bronchiectasis/).

Seek urgent medical help if you are struggling to breathe, have new or severe chest pain, become unusually confused or difficult to wake, or notice blue, grey, or very pale lips or skin. Coughing up blood also needs prompt medical advice.

Arrange a clinical assessment if symptoms are getting worse, fever returns after improving, you cannot keep fluids down, or an existing lung or heart condition is harder to control. Babies and young children with a wet cough need prompt attention for fast breathing, pauses in breathing, poor feeding, or unusual sleepiness; [Bronchiolitis](/conditions/bronchiolitis/) is one condition clinicians may consider in infants.

Ask whether you should test for COVID-19 or another infection, whether your symptoms need an examination, and which medicines are safe with your health conditions. Tell the clinician when the cough began, whether you are bringing up mucus, whether you have breathlessness or chest pain, and whether symptoms are improving or worsening.