Cough
A cough will usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks.
There's usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough.
You should:
- rest
- drink plenty of fluids
- try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities
You could also try:
- paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat any pain
- hot lemon and honey (not suitable for babies under 1 year old)
- a herbal medicine called pelargonium (suitable for people aged 12 or over)
But there's limited evidence to show these work. Hot lemon with honey has a similar effect to cough medicines.
Some medicines and herbal treatments are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.
If you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about:
- cough syrup
- cough medicine (some cough medicines should not be given to children under 12 years old)
- cough sweets
These will not stop your cough, but may help you cough less.
Decongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough.
See a GP if:
- you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks (persistent cough)
- you're losing weight for no reason
- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing
- you feel very unwell
- you have chest pain
- the side of your neck feels swollen and painful (swollen glands)
- you find it hard to breathe
- you're coughing up blood
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
To find out what's causing your cough, the GP might:
- listen to your chest with a stethoscope
- take a sample of any mucus you might be coughing up
- order an X-ray, allergy test, or a test to see how well your lungs work
- refer you to hospital to see a specialist, but this is rare
Important
Antibiotics are not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them – for example, if you have a bacterial infection or you're at risk of complications.
Most coughs are caused by a cold or flu.
Other causes include:
- smoking
- heartburn (acid reflux)
- allergies – for example, hay fever
- infections like bronchitis or COVID-19
- mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose
A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.