As a doctor, when I’m asked, “Is my cough serious?” I think about it in two ways: Is the cough coming from a contagious infection? (That would mean you need to stay away from people.) And is the cough a sign of an illness that you need to talk about with a doctor? First, if you have a new cough, I want you to put a mask on. With the numbers high right now, it could be COVID-19, even if you don’t feel bad (and even if you got vaccinated). Get tested and stay home while you wait for the results (and keep your distance from the people you live with). Once we’ve made sure you’re not patient zero at a super-spreader event, here’s what I would listen for as you describe your cough and other symptoms.
Have you had your cough for 10 days or longer? And is it getting worse?Is your cough so severe that your chest hurts or you’re vomiting?Are you coughing up blood, or yellow or green mucus?Do you have a fever?Are you wheezing or having trouble breathing?Have you lost weight without trying?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, the cough is serious enough that you should call your doctor and get some guidance on next steps. You may need to be examined in person and get some tests to determine what’s wrong and decide on a treatment plan. Besides infections, allergies, and lung disease, a cough can come from other problems like acid reflux or a medication side effect — so don’t hesitate to get medical care. Depending on your diagnosis, you may or may not get prescription medicine to treat the cause of the cough. Regardless, be sure to pay attention to your doctor’s recommendations about over-the-counter and home treatments to soothe your symptoms. Sucking on cough drops or hard candy really can help, along with using a humidifier. Coughs are notorious for sticking around for a long time, so you could need more than one visit with your doctor before you’re feeling better.
