RTS - Coughs

What are the signs and/or symptoms of the Subacute coughs?

Subacute coughs – usually last around 3-8 weeks, particularly whooping cough in children (pertussis)

What signs and/or symptoms would you refer to a doctor?

Mucus not clear or white

Coughing blood

Chest pain, shortness of breath, weezing

High fever that doesn't go down or lasts several days

Unexplained weight loss

A cough that is worse first thing in the morning, at night or after exercise

Pain in the chest or shoulder

A fever that does not respond to medication such as paracetamol.

Breathing problems such as fast or laboured breathing, breathlessness or wheezing

Vomiting after coughing

A persistent change in voice

Lumps or swelling in the neck.

Taking other medication or being affected by other medical conditions

What drugs are available for treatment?

EXPECTORANTS (Covonia Chesty Cough Mixture)

COUGH SUPPRESSANTS (Benylin Dry Coughs)

DEMULCENTS (Glycerin

Lemon and honey cough drop)

DEXTROMETHORPHAN (Robitussin dry cough)

GUAIFENESIN (Robitussin chesty cough)

What NON-DRUG ADVICE can you provide?

Self-care tips include drinking plenty of fluids as this will keep the throat lubricated and prevent dehydration if the person's temperature is raised and sucking ice cubes or boiled sweets or sipping hot water containing honey and lemon can help relieve a tickly cough (note that honey should not be given to infants under one years old). Smoking and smoky environments should also be avoided, as well as any other triggers that may exacerbate asthma or allergies.

What are the different types of coughs?

Productive cough (chesty cough, mucus)

Non-productive cough (dry, tickly cough)

Coughs can be classed according to their duration:

Acute coughs

Subacute coughs

Chronic coughs

Chesty (productive) cough

Dry (tickly or non-productive) cough

What are the signs and/or symptoms of the Acute coughs?

Coughs can be classed according to their duration:

Acute coughs – usually last less than 3 weeks and have sudden onset.

What are the signs and/or symptoms of the Chronic coughs?

Chronic coughs – last for 8 weeks or longer in adults or 4 weeks in children and usually have a more gradual onset.

Coughs can also be referred to as chesty or dry:

What are the signs and/or symptoms of the Chesty (productive) cough?

Chesty (productive) cough – makes the sufferer feel as if they are trying to bring something up; usually described as mucus or phlegm.