Is common and not usually worrisome.

Cough with shortness of breath, leg swelling or cough on lying down or with chest pain or with blood in it can be a cause of concern.

Cough with weight loss, night sweats or cough after travel to a foreign country.

“Smokers Cough” could represent COPD or emphysema or worse lung cancer.

Cough with thick foul smelling and discolored sputum may also need to be checked.

Cough which does not go away or is severe or too much can be another worrisome symptom.

Causes of cough include:

Recent upper airway infections, such as the common cold and flu, can cause coughs.

Other common causes include:

• ACE inhibitors (medications used to control blood pressure)
• Allergic rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the nose or sinuses)
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema or chronic bronchitis)
• Cigarette smoking
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Lung disease such as bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease,
• Lung infections such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis
• Sinusitis leading to postnasal drip
• Valley Fever
• Lung Cancer

Do not expect a doctor to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections like colds or flu. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Antibiotics also will not help coughs from allergies.