Understanding your cough

Know when to call your doctor

Understanding your cough

Know when to call your doctor

A cough can be a symptom of a common cold or a mild infection and can often be cured within a week. However, it may also point to something more serious. Use the following checklist to help you decide when to seek help from your medical professional.

Call emergency services immediately if:

• you have difficulty breathing, have severe shortness of breath (e.g. not able to speak)
• you have difficulty swallowing, a swollen throat or swollen, red face
• lips or face start turning a bluish colour
• a cough that starts suddenly and cannot be controlled, especially after an insect sting or other possible allergic trigger
• you have been exposed to smoke, fumes or flames that have caused difficulty breathing
• your cough is accompanied by a high fever (38.1 C or 100.5 F) AND you are over 60 OR you have diabetes, HIV, are undergoing chemotherapy or have other immune-weakening conditions OR you are unable to leave your bed

Call your doctor if you have:

• a high fever lasting more than 24 hours, or fever that returns after being gone for 24 hours or more
• a whistling or harsh vibrating noise when inhaling
• a cough that produces thick, yellowish-green phlegm with an unpleasant smell
• a cough that produces blood
• a cough that lasts more than one week
• a brief period of getting better followed by a serious worsening, especially with nausea or vomiting, chest pain or high fever