Coughs: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have a productive cough?

See significance of a productive 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 fever of to ?

Yes

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

Yes

Do you have mild shortness of breath?

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 any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had a fever less than and coughed up sputum more than 12 times in 24 hours?

Yes

Have you coughed up sputum more than 12 times a day for longer than 48 hours, but you do not have a fever?

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 productive cough for longer than 2 weeks without other respiratory symptoms?

Yes

Do you have a chronic cough that has been evaluated by a doctor and 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