Consultant respiratory physician - London
Acute cough Specialist in London
Most coughs improve within a few weeks. Dr Ricardo José provides specialist assessment to identify the cause and create a personalised treatment plan.
Respiratory care
Advice for cough and persistent symptomsWhen to seek help for a cough
Most short-term coughs improve within a few weeks. However, a cough that is persistent, worsening or associated with chest symptoms may need medical assessment. Private respiratory consultation is appropriate for symptoms that are concerning but do not require emergency care.
Private respiratory assessment
A consultation may help clarify the cause of a troublesome cough, review associated chest symptoms and decide whether tests or treatment are needed.
Arrange medical assessment if you have:
- A cough lasting more than two weeks
- Breathlessness, wheeze or reduced exercise tolerance
- Chest discomfort or pain when breathing or coughing
- Blood-stained mucus or coughing up blood
- Symptoms that are worsening or making you feel unwell
- An existing heart, lung or immune condition
Emergency symptoms
Call 999 or attend A&E for severe difficulty breathing, sudden severe chest pain, blue or grey lips or skin, confusion, collapse, or significant bleeding when coughing.
What is a cough and why do we cough?
A cough is a reflex action that helps clear your airways of irritants, mucus or foreign particles.
It is an important defence mechanism that helps protect the lungs and maintain healthy breathing. When something irritates the airways, the body triggers a forceful breath out to help remove it.
There are different types of cough, including dry and productive (phlegmy) coughs, but they generally serve the same purpose: helping to clear the airways.
A cough can be useful, but it may become troublesome when it is persistent, worsening, affecting daily life or accompanied by other chest symptoms.
Explore more about cough
Acute and chronic cough: what is the difference?
The length of time you have been coughing can help guide the next step. Most new coughs improve as the original trigger settles, while a persistent cough may need a more structured respiratory assessment.
Acute cough
An acute cough is a new, short-term cough that usually lasts less than three weeks. It is commonly linked to a cold, flu, another viral respiratory infection, or temporary irritation from smoke, dust or pollution.
Most acute coughs improve as the underlying cause settles. Even after other cold symptoms have improved, a cough can sometimes take three to four weeks to fully resolve.
Chronic cough
In adults, a cough lasting more than eight weeks is described as chronic. It may be dry or phlegmy and can affect sleep, exercise, work and everyday wellbeing.
A chronic cough can have more than one contributing cause. A respiratory assessment can help identify the likely drivers and guide appropriate treatment.
Cough lasting 3 to 8 weeks
Persistent coughA cough in this period may still be settling after an infection, but it should be reviewed if it is not improving, keeps returning, affects daily life, or is accompanied by breathlessness, chest pain, blood in sputum, fever, unexplained weight loss or worsening symptoms.
Looking after a short-term cough
Most acute coughs improve as the underlying irritation or infection settles. A private respiratory consultation can be helpful at any stage if your symptoms are concerning, recurrent, affecting daily life, or you would like clear consultant-led advice.
Rest and recover
Give your body time to recover, particularly if your cough has followed a cold, flu or another respiratory infection.
Drink plenty of fluids
Staying well hydrated can help soothe a dry throat and support recovery while you are unwell.
Soothe throat irritation
Warm drinks may feel soothing. Honey may help relieve cough symptoms in adults and children over one year old.
Avoid airway irritants
Avoid smoking, vaping, strong fragrances and other triggers that can irritate the throat and airways.
If your cough is worsening, not improving after three to four weeks, keeps returning or affects your sleep, work or exercise, a private respiratory consultation can provide a clear assessment and tailored next steps.
Common questions about a short-term cough
These answers address common cough patterns that may not always be obvious. A cough can follow a respiratory infection, be influenced by irritants or medication, and vary depending on the time of day.
Why can a cough linger after a cold?
After a respiratory infection, the airways and cough reflex can remain sensitive for a period of time. This can cause an irritating or tickly cough even after the original cold symptoms have improved. This is sometimes described as a post-viral cough.
Why can a cough be worse at night?
Coughing may feel more noticeable at night because lying down can make mucus at the back of the throat or reflux-related irritation more apparent. Night-time cough can also occur with airway sensitivity or asthma, particularly when it is recurrent or associated with wheeze or breathlessness.
Can cold air or strong smells trigger coughing?
Yes. Cold air, sudden changes in temperature, smoke, perfume, cleaning sprays and other strong smells can irritate sensitive airways and trigger coughing. Keeping note of repeated triggers can be useful when discussing symptoms during a consultation.
Can medication cause a dry cough?
Some blood-pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors can cause a dry, persistent cough. Ramipril is one example. Do not stop prescribed medication without medical advice, but mention a new or troublesome cough when your medicines are reviewed.
Does yellow or green phlegm always mean I need antibiotics?
No. Coloured phlegm can occur during viral infections and does not, by itself, confirm a bacterial infection or mean that antibiotics are needed. The overall pattern of symptoms, medical history and clinical assessment are more important when deciding whether treatment or further investigation is appropriate.
A cough does not always follow a single pattern. If your symptoms are recurrent, difficult to explain or affecting your quality of life, a private respiratory consultation can provide a focused review and clear next steps.