Coughs: When to see a doctor

Coughing is the body’s way of trying to clear out the lungs and throat. Despite being irritating, it can be helpful and even necessary to help keep the airways open, and get rid of harmful irritants.^1,2

Common causes of a cough include:^1,2

• The common cold
• The flu
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Sinusitis
• Cigarette smoking or breathing in secondhand smoke
• Air pollutants
• Certain medications

In most cases, a cough will go away in 2 to 3 weeks.^1,2 Drinking lots of fluids, using a vaporiser to keep the air moist, or taking throat lozenges, cough suppressants or expectorants can all help to ease your cough.¹

If your cough is severe or persistent see your pharmacist or doctor. In most cases, they will ask a series of questions in order to diagnose the cough’s cause and provide the right treatment to help you feel better and kick that cough.¹