Persistent cough: why it won't go away, when it is urgent, who to see
A cough after a cold can linger for three to four weeks — that is normal. But a cough lasting longer than a month, especially with shortness of breath or phlegm, is a reason to see a pulmonologist and find the cause.
Common causes
- A lingering cough after a viral infection or acute bronchitis
- Allergy and asthma
- Postnasal drip from chronic rhinitis
- Smoking, including second-hand smoke
- Acid reflux
- A side effect of some blood pressure medicines
When to seek urgent help
Do not wait for a scheduled visit if you have any of these signs:
- Coughing up blood
- Cough with high fever for more than 3–4 days
- Marked shortness of breath, wheezing, choking episodes
- Cough with chest pain
- Cough with weight loss and night sweats
Ambulance: 103 (103 from a mobile) · Unified rescue service: 911
Your specialist
Pulmonologist
What to bring to the visit
- A timeline: how long the cough has lasted, dry or with phlegm, when it worsens
- Chest X-ray results, if you have had one
- A list of medicines you take
- Information about smoking and allergies
Frequently asked questions
How long can a cough last after a cold?
Up to 3–4 weeks — a common "post-infectious" cough. If it lasts longer, gets worse or new symptoms appear, see a doctor.
Coughing at night: why, and which doctor should I see?
Postnasal drip, asthma and acid reflux often make a cough worse at night — all three are in the list of causes above. Adults can start with a general practitioner or a pulmonologist; a child should see a pediatrician. If you have choking episodes or wheezing at night, do not wait for a routine appointment, and if the choking does not ease, call 103.
A dry cough that won't go away: what could it be?
Common causes of a lingering dry cough are a cough left over from a viral infection, asthma or allergy, acid reflux and some blood pressure medicines. See a general practitioner or a pulmonologist and bring a list of the medicines you take; for a cough lasting more than a month the doctor usually orders a chest X-ray.
Bronchitis: a general practitioner or a pulmonologist?
With a cough and fever after a cold, start with a general practitioner; for a child, with a pediatrician. See a pulmonologist if the cough lasts more than a month (especially if you smoke) or bronchitis keeps coming back several times a year. If you are markedly short of breath, do not wait for a routine appointment.
Cough with phlegm and fever: when is it urgent?
Do not wait for a routine appointment if the fever lasts more than 3–4 days, you become short of breath or have chest pain, or there is blood in the phlegm. If you are choking or badly short of breath, call 103. Without these signs, see a general practitioner in the next few days.
Coughing fits in a child: could it be whooping cough, and who should we see?
Take a coughing child to a pediatrician. Bursts of coughing after which the child breathes in with a loud whoop or vomits can be a sign of whooping cough — have the child seen by a pediatrician the same day. If a baby's lips turn blue or the baby has pauses in breathing, call 103.
More in “Chest and heart”
- Chest pain
Cardiologist
- High blood pressure
Cardiologist
The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis in person. If your condition worsens, call 103.