A cough is a common complaint and a symptom of a wide variety of illnesses, ranging from a cold to pneumonia and many others. Understanding the causes of a cough and when you should seek medical care for a persistent cough is important. When you are dealing with a troublesome or concerning cough, urgent care is an excellent choice. With short wait times, extended hours, and experienced providers, you can get the care you need.
When To See a Doctor for a Cough in Adults
You should see a health care provider for a cough if it is persistent and accompanied by:
- Persistent fever.
- Wheezing.
- Chills.
- Thick yellow or green mucus.
If you have a chronic disease (such as COPD, asthma, heart disease, or diabetes), you should see an urgent care provider for a persistent cough.
When To See a Doctor for a Cough in Children
A cough in a child can simply accompany a mild virus like a cold. In some cases, however, a cough can be more significant and require medical attention. See an urgent care provider for a cough if:
- Your child is struggling to breathe.
- Your child is becoming lethargic or confused.
- Your child has a prolonged fever (greater than three days) or a high fever.
- You hear high-pitched noises when your child breathes.
- Your child is having difficulty swallowing or is drooling.
Is the Color of Mucus Significant?
Your cough may be dry (unproductive) or produce some type of mucus (productive). The color and consistency of what you cough up can be significant.
- Clear: Clear mucus may be associated with allergies or a cold.
- Thick and yellow/green: Thick green or yellow mucus may indicate a bacterial infection.
- Pink or red: Pink or reddish mucus can indicate the presence of blood and is concerning.
When Should I Go to an ER for a Cough?
In general, urgent care is well-equipped to diagnose and treat a persistent cough effectively. If you experience the following symptoms, you should visit an emergency room instead, as these can indicate a life-threatening condition:
- Constant chest pain or pressure.
- Severe shortness of breath.
- Significant amounts of blood when you cough.
What Are the Causes of a Persistent Cough?
While an occasional cough can be normal, an ongoing cough can indicate an illness or other condition. Causes of coughing include:
- Common cold.
- Influenza (the flu).
- COVID-19 infection.
- Allergies.
- Environmental irritants.
- Sinus infection.
- Asthma.
- Bronchitis.
- Pneumonia.
- COPD.
What Can Urgent Care Do for a Persistent Cough?
Visiting urgent care for a cough offers the advantage of short wait times and convenience. Providers are well-equipped to diagnose and treat coughs and many other symptoms and conditions.
At Emerald Coast Urgent Care, our team will ensure you are seen as quickly as possible. Your provider will discuss your symptoms, review your vital signs (including temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level), and discuss any relevant health conditions you may have. You can expect a careful physical exam, including an evaluation of your lung sounds.
Our clinic features convenient onsite diagnostic resources. Blood or urine tests can be processed quickly in our lab, giving your provider the results they need to provide a diagnosis. If indicated, an X-ray or EKG can be performed.
Depending on your condition and diagnosis, your provider can prescribe various medications to relieve your symptoms and treat an underlying illness. This medication may include antibiotics, steroids, inhalers, cough medicine, or medications to treat pain and fever.
If you need urgent care for coughs, visit the experienced team at Emerald Coast Urgent Care at any of our three locations in the Florida panhandle.
