Cough Won't Go Away? When To See A Doctor

A persistent cough or nagging tickle in your throat that just won't quit can leave you feeling frustrated and unwell.

Despite our best efforts, coughs and other cold symptoms may linger for several weeks, disrupting your daily life. But how can you tell if that cough that won’t go away is something that a doctor or health care provider should check? Learn what you can do to help relieve a lingering cough and when you should call a doctor.

When Should I Call A Doctor For A Persistent Cough?

A persistent cough lasting more than a few weeks warrants a call to your doctor, said Zachary Lundy, DO, family medicine doctor at Franciscan Physician Network CityWay Family Medicine in downtown Indianapolis.

“After the four-week mark, we’re more at risk of a secondary infection, such as bacterial pneumonia,” he said. “You need to make the time to see a doctor.”

Red flag symptoms with a cough

If you have a lingering cough with any of the following symptoms, see your provider:

• Fever of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• Coughing that brings up blood
• Night sweats
• Swelling in your legs
• Wheezing, unexpected shortness of breath or other difficulty breathing

Additionally, patients with COPD should seek medical attention for coughs that are worse than normal or when they experience phlegm that is unusual in color.

What Are Ways I Can Care For My Cough At Home?

Dr. Lundy recommends these tips for caring for a lingering cough at home:

Get adequate hydration

Drink water. “I’m a big proponent of hydration,” he said. “Water is a natural expectorant. It helps keep up with the thinning of the mucus from chest congestion.”

Hot tea, drinks, soups or broths also may help ease a cough. Studies have shown teas with ginger, lemon, or honey are especially good at easing coughs and the accompanying sore throat pain they may cause. (Note: Do not give honey to children under 12 months of age.)

Additionally, consider electrolyte drinks like Pedialyte to help a cough.

Consider over-the-counter medications

Mucinex and other medications that are expectorants may be used by some people to temporarily help break up a cough, Dr. Lundy said. However, if you have conditions including heart disease, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, seizures, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking over-the-counter medications.

“There aren’t a lot of good cough syrups,” Dr. Lundy said. “Some people ask about Sudafed, but the evidence is mixed.”

Be sure to follow dosage guidelines on over-the-counter medicine packages carefully, as these medications can be harmful if overused.

Throat lozenges, especially those containing honey, may help lessen the severity of cough symptoms at home.

Continue your care plans

Continue using your inhaler or allergy medications such as Flonase and Allegra as prescribed by your doctor.

Add humidity

Using a cool-mist humidifier may help inflamed lungs as well, Dr. Lundy said.

What Causes A Lingering Cough?

A lingering cough, also known as a chronic cough, can be caused by several respiratory conditions:  

• Viral Infections: Colds, flu and other viral infections can cause a cough that lingers for several weeks after the initial illness has resolved.  
• Bacterial Infections: Bronchitis, pneumonia and other bacterial infections can lead to a persistent cough.
• Allergies: Allergies to pollen, dust mites, pet dander or mold can irritate the airways and trigger a cough.  
• Postnasal Drip: Excess mucus from the sinuses draining down the back of the throat can irritate the airways and cause a cough.  
• Asthma: Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.  

“When our lower airways are inflamed, a cough is our body’s response,” Dr. Lundy said. “It’s annoying and we want an instant fix, but it’s something we often have to ride out.”

Other causes of chronic cough

There are other common causes of lingering coughs, including other medical conditions like acid reflux, COPD and heart failure. Certain blood pressure medications – ones whose name end in “pril” – can also cause a chronic cough in some patients. This condition is uncommon, but when it happens, it usually becomes noticeable within six months of beginning the medication.

Additionally, indoor air pollution and mold can aggregate respiratory conditions.

Coughing in smokers

Smokers are more likely to develop chronic coughs that are longer-lasting and more severe than non-smokers. A lingering cough can also be an early warning sign of lung cancer in long-time smokers. So, smokers should be prompt about having their cough checked by a healthcare provider to see if it could be a sign that lung cancer screening is needed.

“Smokers should get their cough checked sooner rather than later because lung cancer is a diagnosis that you don’t want to miss,” said Rebecca Hauck, FNP, a family nurse practitioner with Franciscan Physician Network Family Medicine West Lafayette.

“If you smoke, the single best thing you can do for your health today is to quit,” she said. “Your doctor can prescribe medications or nicotine replacement products to help make quitting easier.”

Coughing and lung cancer

Recurring coughing can be more than an annoyance; for a cough that won't go away can be a symptom of lung cancer.

"Some of the common symptoms would be things like a cough that gets persistent, getting worse," said Harsha Ranganath, MD, with Franciscan Physician Network Oncology & Hematology Specialists Indianapolis. "You might be coughing up some phlegm. Certainly coughing up blood, always get that checked out. Shortness of breath, wheezing. The trouble is a lot of these symptoms are kind of vague. Many people that have lung cancer also have COPD or emphysema and it's the same symptoms, so that makes it difficult. Usually I would say that if the symptoms don't go away or keep getting worse. These are things that it's never wrong to get it checked out by your doctor."

If you are experiencing lingering or worsening cough or cold symptoms, don’t wait to get them checked. Your health care provider can help you diagnose the cause of your cough that won’t go away – and suggest steps to ease your symptoms.