That Nagging Cough: When It's Time to See a Doctor

Many illnesses cause a cough, but not all coughs are equal in severity or importance. How do you know when that nagging or lingering cough is just a nuisance or if you should see a doctor?

At Mercy Medical Urgent Care, Dr. Bilal Khoder and our staff diagnose and treat many illnesses that have a cough as a symptom, including colds, the flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, and COVID-19. 

Each one has a distinctive sound, but if you’re ever in doubt, come into the office for an evaluation.

Let’s look at the major illnesses that present with a cough and try to distinguish the severity of each.

Colds and the flu

The common cold and influenza are two of the most common illnesses. They enter your body through your mouth or nose and infect your throat and lungs or your upper respiratory system. 

They’re both contagious, so you should wash your hands frequently, don’t share utensils or clothing, and try to avoid touching surfaces to prevent their spread. 

Their many symptoms include fever, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, a loss of appetite, frequent sneezing, and a cough. 

Generally, the cough isn’t severe, though it may make body aches feel worse. Most people recover within 7-10 days with at-home care, including lots of fluids, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis occurs when the airways leading to your lungs (trachea and bronchi) become inflamed, usually from a viral infection, and fill with mucus. You get a nagging, phlegmy cough as your body tries to eliminate the mucus.

Acute bronchitis is usually due to a virus or environmental factors like cigarette smoke. The cough is nagging, but it usually resolves in a couple of weeks.

Chronic bronchitis occurs when you have a phlegmy cough most days of the month for at least three months out of the year. It can’t be cured, but it can be managed. You should seek medical attention if you have a chronic case.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is a viral infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This condition presents with a persistent, hacking, dry cough that’s distinctly different in sound from bronchitis. 

Since many people also lose their senses of taste and smell from the infection, this is one way to tell if you might have COVID. You should come into Mercy Medical Urgent Care to get tested so you don’t spread the virus if you have it.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia affects the lungs, not the upper airway. As the lungs fill with mucus, it may become more difficult to breathe, and your lungs may produce a “rattling” sound.

You may also experience muscle pains, chills, a cough, and a fever. Because pneumonia may be caused by a virus, bacterium, or fungus, it generally requires treatment like a course of antiviral, antibiotic, or antifungal medication. 

If shortness of breath is one of your symptoms, come into the office as soon as you can.

If you’ve developed a nagging cough and it seems to be going on too long or if you can’t tell what type of disease is causing it, Mercy Medical Urgent Care is here to help diagnose and treat you. 

We’re open seven days a week, and you can walk in or give us a call at 386-758-2944 to schedule.