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Check-up for a chronic cough
long-lasting cough · cough that won't go away · persistent cough · prolonged cough · cough check-up
The doctor looks for the cause of a cough that has not gone away for several weeks. For this they ask questions, examine you, and do a few tests.
If a cough lasts longer than 3 to 8 weeks in an adult or longer than 4 weeks in a child, especially with phlegm, shortness of breath, or blood.
⏱ Duration: the first visit usually takes 20 to 40 minutes; the tests take from a few days to a couple of weeks
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Cough diary. Write down when the cough is worse and what triggers it: food, cold, lying down, dust.
- Medicines. Do not stop them on your own. Tell your doctor everything you take.
- Past pictures. Bring your lung X-ray or CT, if you had one.
What to bring
- An ID
- Lung images and reports
- A list of your medicines
- Past test results
How it goes
- The doctor asks in detail about the cough
- Listens to your lungs and looks at your throat and nose
- Usually sends you for a chest X-ray
- May order a breathing test called spirometry
- Sometimes a phlegm or blood test is needed
- Based on the results, prescribes treatment or refers you to the right doctor
What you'll feel
- The tests are usually painless
- For spirometry you have to blow out hard, and you may feel dizzy
Afterwards
- Treatment depends on the cause, and there are several
- Sometimes treatment is tried first to see if the cough goes away
- The follow-up visit is after the time your doctor sets
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Coughing up blood, severe shortness of breath, or chest pain: see a doctor urgently or call emergency services
- A high fever and hard breathing: call emergency services
Common questions
How long can a cough last after a cold?
Sometimes up to 3 to 8 weeks. If it lasts longer or gets worse, see a doctor.
Is a chest X-ray always needed?
Most often yes, it is one of the first tests. Your doctor decides.