Coughs: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have a dry (nonproductive) cough?

See significance of a dry (nonproductive) cough if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have a fever of or higher?

Yes

Do you think that you have a high fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have a fever of to ?

Yes

Do you think you have a moderate fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?

Yes

Has a cough come on gradually over hours or days after a choking episode?

Yes

Are you older than 60, and you have had an ongoing fever after 24 hours of home treatment?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had a fever less than despite 48 hours of home treatment?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had a dry cough for longer than 2 weeks?

Yes

Do you have a chronic cough that has been evaluated by a doctor but is not following the expected course?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	February 25, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer