Overview
Coughing is a protective reflex by which the airways expel mucus, pathogens and foreign particles. It is therefore not a disease in itself but a symptom with many possible causes. Medically, cough is classified above all by its duration: an acute cough lasts up to eight weeks and is usually the result of a viral infection of the upper airways; it typically resolves on its own. A cough persisting for more than eight weeks is considered chronic and should be specifically evaluated. A further distinction is made between a dry, tickly cough without sputum and a productive cough with mucus. In the video consultation, our doctors ask about duration, course, accompanying symptoms and possible warning signs. On this basis they discuss symptomatic treatment with you; following the doctor's assessment, a private prescription, a sick note or a recommendation for further in-person evaluation may be issued.
Common causes
By far the most common cause of an acute cough is a viral infection of the upper airways, such as a common cold or acute bronchitis. After such an infection, a dry cough can persist for several weeks as a so-called post-infectious cough without necessarily being dangerous. Other possible causes include sinusitis with mucus draining down the throat, allergies such as hay fever, bronchial asthma and heartburn with reflux of stomach acid. In smokers, so-called smoker's cough is common; it can be a sign of chronic bronchitis or COPD. Certain medication classes, for example some blood pressure drugs (ACE inhibitors), can also trigger a dry cough. Less commonly, pneumonia, whooping cough or other serious conditions are the underlying cause – which is precisely why duration and accompanying symptoms are decisive for the doctor's assessment.
When to see a doctor
An acute cough in the context of a common cold can usually be treated symptomatically at first. You should have the cough medically evaluated if it lasts longer than eight weeks, worsens noticeably again after initial improvement or is accompanied by high fever for more than three days. Warning signs also include bloody sputum, unintentional weight loss, marked night sweats, breathing noises such as wheezing, and cough in people with known heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system. Prompt medical review is also advisable for young children, during pregnancy and in the case of a barking cough with breathing difficulty. Call emergency services on 112 immediately in case of acute shortness of breath, blue discolouration of the lips, severe chest pain, confusion or a suspected inhaled foreign body. The video consultation helps you assess these situations – but in an emergency it never replaces the ambulance service.