Cough

A simple guide to understanding and managing your cough

What is a cough?

A cough is your body's way of clearing your throat and airways. Most coughs are nothing to worry about and will get better on their own within 3 to 4 weeks.

What causes coughs?

The most common causes are:

• Cold or flu
• Smoking
• Heartburn (when stomach acid comes up into your throat)
• Allergies like hay fever
• Chest infections
• COVID-19
• Mucus dripping down your throat from your nose

It's very rare for a cough to be a sign of something serious like lung cancer.

How to treat your cough at home

Most coughs don't need treatment from a GP. Here's what you can do:

Rest and fluids:

• Get plenty of rest
• Drink lots of fluids
• Stay at home if you have a high temperature or feel unwell

Simple remedies:

• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for any pain
• Try hot lemon and honey (works as well as cough medicines)
• Consider pelargonium (a herbal medicine) if you're 12 or over

How to make hot lemon and honey:

1. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water
2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of honey
3. Drink while warm

Important: Never give honey to babies under 1 year old, and don't give hot drinks to small children.

Getting help from a pharmacist

Your pharmacist can suggest:

• Cough syrup
• Cough medicine (some aren't suitable for children under 12)
• Cough sweets

These won't stop your cough but may help you cough less. Decongestants and cough medicines with codeine won't help stop your cough.

Always check with a pharmacist before taking any medicine, especially if you're pregnant.

When to speak to your GP

See your GP if:

• You've had a cough for more than 3 weeks
• You're losing weight for no reason
• You have a weakened immune system (for example, from chemotherapy or diabetes)

When to get urgent help

Contact your GP urgently or call NHS 111 if:

• Your cough is very bad or getting worse quickly
• You can't stop coughing or have a hacking cough
• You feel very unwell
• You have chest pain
• The side of your neck feels swollen and painful
• You find it hard to breathe
• You're coughing up blood

You can call 111 or use the NHS 111 online service.

What happens at your GP appointment

Your GP might:

• Listen to your chest with a stethoscope
• Take a sample of any mucus you're coughing up
• Order an X-ray or allergy test
• Test how well your lungs work
• Rarely, refer you to a hospital specialist

Important: Antibiotics don't usually help with coughs. Your GP will only prescribe them if you have a bacterial infection or are at risk of complications.

Remember

Most coughs are caused by common illnesses like colds and flu. They usually get better on their own with rest and simple home remedies. However, if you're worried about your cough or it's not getting better, don't hesitate to speak to your GP.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.