Cough

Cough

A cough will usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks.

Could it be coronavirus (COVID-19)?

A new, continuous cough could be COVID-19.

Get advice about symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do

There's usually no need to see a GP.

You should:

• rest


• drink plenty of fluids

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.

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)


• 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.

Find a pharmacy

See a GP if:

To find out what's causing your cough, the GP might:

• 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


• mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose

A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.