When to See a Healthcare Provider for a Cough

Most of the time, a cough will go away on its own and is nothing to worry about. But you should see your healthcare provider for symptoms such as coughing up blood or discolored mucus, high fever or night sweats, or a cough that lasts for weeks.

A cough is sometimes a symptom of something as simple as seasonal allergies or the common cold. However, there are many types of illnesses and conditions that may be the cause—some of which may require urgent treatment. Signs of an emergency include trouble breathing; coughing up pink, frothy mucus; or chest pain.

This article covers when to see a healthcare provider for a cough—or even go to the hospital.

You're Coughing Up Discolored Mucus

Mucus, otherwise known as sputum or phlegm, is made of secretions from cells lining the respiratory tract and often shows up if you have an infection such as bronchitis. When your sputum is yellow, green, or tan it often indicates the presence of white blood cells that may be fighting an infection (it is also seen in cystic fibrosis).

If you are coughing up discolored mucus and it has lasted more than a week or is accompanied by a fever, you should be evaluated by a healthcare provider because it could be a sign of pneumonia or another lung disease.

If you are coughing up pink, frothy mucus, you should go to the emergency room immediately. This type of mucus can be a sign of heart failure or pulmonary edema.

You're Coughing Up Blood

Coughing up blood can be due to a number of causes, including inflammation in your airways (from bronchitis or pneumonia), asthma, damaged airways (bronchiectasis), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or lung cancer.

Many of these causes can be quite serious, so it's important to see your healthcare provider to determine what's causing you to cough up blood.

You're Wheezing and Short of Breath

If your cough is accompanied by wheezing and shortness of breath, it's possible it could be caused by asthma, an allergic reaction, or even acid reflux.

All of these conditions require a visit to your healthcare provider in case additional testing is needed to rule out an infection (e.g., bronchitis) or more serious conditions like pneumonia.

If you are choking or having difficulty breathing, you should seek emergency medical care.

You Have a Heart Condition

Coughing is most often associated with lung problems or respiratory infections, but it can also be associated with heart failure due to various heart disorders such as coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, diastolic dysfunction, or heart valve disease.

With these conditions, a cough is often accompanied by frothy mucus that may be white or pink in color and contain blood. If you've been diagnosed with heart failure and suddenly have a cough, you should visit your healthcare provider immediately, and if you have chest pain you should seek emergency care.

You Have Sweats or Fevers at Night

Night sweats can be caused by a number of things—from anxiety to taking a new medication or even the natural transition to menopause. However, if night sweats are accompanied by a cough and fever, it's possible that you have tuberculosis. In this case, it's worth a visit to your healthcare provider right away to rule out tuberculosis or to quickly receive treatment.

Your Cough Is Lingering for Weeks

A cough lasting three to eight weeks is defined as a subacute cough, which may be caused by a post-infectious cough or postnasal drip. While these may not be as serious as other medical conditions, your healthcare provider may want to prescribe an antihistamine or decongestant to help clear it up.

Your Child Has a Fever Over 104

A cough combined with a fever over 104 F is an emergency warning sign of the flu. Chest pain with a cough can also be a severe symptom of the flu.

Contact your provider immediately if your child is experiencing these symptoms because it's important to receive treatment as soon as possible once a flu diagnosis is confirmed.

Your Child Has Croup

Croup is a term used to define inflammation and swelling of the area of the throat that includes the vocal cords. If a child's croupy cough and stridor (a low-pitched sound that comes with their breathing) doesn't subside with home treatments, call their healthcare provider. They may prescribe steroids or inhaled epinephrine to help reduce the swelling.

Additionally, any infant that is coughing for more than a few hours should be seen by a healthcare provider. Especially concerning signs in children under 1 year include a cough that is constant or nearly so, and a "whoop" sound when breathing.

Summary

A cough can be annoying but often doesn't need treatment. However, when a cough is caused by certain illnesses and health conditions, you should contact your healthcare provider right away. If your cough concerns you or it is different from coughs you have had in the past, it is always best to contact your healthcare provider to get guidance for your specific case.