Coughs: Emergencies
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Emergencies
Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
- Chest discomfort or pain that is crushing or squeezing or feels like a heavy weight on the chest
- Chest discomfort or pain that occurs with:
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain that spreads from the chest to the back, neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or one or both shoulders or arms. See an illustration of chest pain
.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- A fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- Moderate to severe difficulty breathing:
- Choking. If choking is present, go to the topic Choking Rescue Procedure. Do not perform the Heimlich maneuver if the person is still coughing or able to speak.
| 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 |
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