Is Medical Advice Necessary For Severe Cough?

Posted on Wed, 27 Dec 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 Dec 2017 Answered on

Tue, 29 May 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has had a bad cough since last night. It's not a productive cough, but has kept him from resting. He has no fever. Does he need to go to the doctor?

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it depends

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You can have a bad cough from a viral upper respiratory infection or viral bronchitis and in those cases there is not much a doctor can do since viruses do not respond to antibiotics. In those cases you can just take over the counter medicines for symptom relief.
If it is something more serious then a doctor should be consulted. Signs of a more serious infection would include fever, shortness of breath or coughing up blood.
If any of those apply have him see a doctor as soon as possible.
Also even if it seems to be a viral infection, if he is not getting better in 10-14 days then he should also see a doctor.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar