COUGH

Cough is a common symptom but one which can, in a few cases, signify an important medical problem. On this page we are not concerned with cough as part of an acute illness such as an upper respiratory or chest infection but with cough as a symptom which persists. When to be concerned?

• If you feel ill (with tiredness, weight loss or fever for example) and this feeling of being ill has persisted beyond the few days you would expect with a respiratory infection.
• If the cough has persisted beyond a month, even if you are not unwell.
• If you have an associated wheeze or any difficulty breathing.
• If you cough up blood or persistently (for more than few days) cough up coloured phlegm.
• If you are known to have an existing chest problem such as emphysema or bronchiectasis and this seems to be worse than usual.
• If there is associated pain. This may be associated with a strained muscle due to coughing or even, occasionally, a cracked rib. In both these cases there will be tenderness at the site of the pain and certain movements may be painful. Deeper pain, such as from the lining of the lung (pleurisy), may not be associated with much or any tenderness. A raw feeling in the centre of the chest is due to inflammation of the wind-pipe (tracheitis) - but this doesn't usually persist beyond a day or two. Any pain which persists beyond a few days, seems deep rather than from the surface, is coming from a wider area rather than localised, is bad enough to interfere with activities or sleep, is associated with fever, productive cough or coughing blood OR which causes you concern should be checked out.

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