Seek Medical Care For A Cough That Lasts A Few Weeks Or Worsens Over Time

A cough that seemingly won’t quit often may be managed with over-the-counter medications, home remedies and patience. When cough relief remains fleeting, it could be a sign that it’s time to seek medical care.

Shanna Dierker, a Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner with ThedaCare Urgent Care Telehealth, recently offered advice on when to seek such care for a cough.

“A pesky cough can become a big bother. Annoying as it can be, though, coughing is beneficial,” she said. “It’s your body’s way of protecting you from circulating germs and other airborne irritants like secondhand smoke or allergens. At the same time, a chronic cough or bout of uncontrollable hacking can be annoying and even scary.”

In her experience, Dierker often helps people who are experiencing a cough. 

“I meet a lot of people with cold symptoms in the winter and allergies in the warmer months,” she said. “I often answer questions about whether they need an in-person appointment or how to choose safer cough medicines if they have special circumstances such as pregnancy or high blood pressure.” 

Cough Causes

When a person experiences a lingering cough or fits of uncontrollable coughing, it’s often best to investigate the root cause before considering potential treatment options, Dierker said. 

Coughing can stem from infections like colds, influenza, whooping cough, bronchitis and pneumonia. If a cough worsens after a period of recovery, it may be indicative of a sinus infection. This happens when cold symptoms trap mucus, leading to bacterial growth. 

“A dry cough from a cold or respiratory illness can linger for four to six weeks,” Dierker said. “If you feel good after recovering despite the lingering cough, it’s generally not a cause for concern.”  

Acid reflux, sometimes called heartburn is another common cause of cough. That’s because with acid reflux, stomach acids irritate the throat and airways, triggering a cough reflex or constant throat-clearing. 

Asthma and allergens are another cough culprit, Dierker said. 

“Pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander or exposure to extremely cold air can cause coughing,” she said. “These may trigger excess mucus as well as inflame and narrow the airway, which is a medical emergency.” 

Chronic lung disease is another common cause of cough. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an ongoing condition that results from lung damage. The condition may cause excess mucus and inflammation, making a person’s body cough to try and clear their airways, Dierker said. 

Home Treatment Options

In many cases, home treatments can offer ample cough care, Dierker said. 

“By soothing your throat so you cough less, you’ll also be able to rest and better heal from a cold or other bug you might be experiencing,” she said. “And there are a number of home remedies that may help.” 

She recommended:

• Drinking plenty of water to help thin out mucus that can cause post-nasal drip. Post-nasal drip happens when mucus forms and drips down the back of the throat. “Warm liquids such as soup and tea also work well,” Dierker said. “Adding a drop of honey to tea can offer extra soothing.”
• Sitting in a steamy shower or using a humidifier to help loosen mucus and soothe the airways with moisture.
• Using a neti pot or sinus rinse in the morning and evening to help flush the sinuses. Use distilled water, not tap water.
• Avoiding irritants like cigarette smoke, vaping mist, strongly scented candles and industrial odors and pollutants.
• Taking medicine such as cough drops or over-the-counter cough medicine to help suppress a cough or loosen mucus.

When to Seek Care

“Sometimes it’s difficult to decide if you have a cough that will go away in time or one that needs treatment,” Dierker said. “It’s a good idea to seek medical care if you have a cough that lasts longer than a few weeks or gets worse over time; a cough that makes a barking or whooping sound; vomiting from a cough; a cough that’s accompanied by a fever that lasts more than a day or two; or a cough that generates yellow, green or bloody mucus.”

Dierker recommended some options for those needing medical attention to help ease their coughing woes, including:

• See a primary care provider or another member of their team.
• Visit urgent or walk-in care for no-appointment-needed, in-person care.
• Choose virtual care, which specializes in providing video visits for conditions like coughs and allows people to receive care from the comfort of home. Patients are encouraged to review their health insurance plan details or call their health insurance provider to understand their specific virtual care benefits, Dierker said.
• Seek emergency care for a severe or uncontrollable cough. Go to the emergency department or call 911 if choking or can’t breathe, see a lot of blood when coughing or have severe chest pain.

 “A cough can be persistent and bothersome but with time, it will often clear up on its own,” Dierker said. “If you’re concerned about your cough or have severe symptoms, our teams are always here for you.”

 ThedaCare offers several options for medical care. Visit Get Care Now to explore care options.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including 10 hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care system.

For more information, visit thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on social media.

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