Throughout the year, we regularly see patients with cough. Coughing is an important and beneficial protective mechanism for the airways/lungs. For coughs with colds/URIs, they can usually be monitored and managed with either nothing at all (if mild), or with home remedies if relief is needed - such as throat lozenges, cough drops, honey, a humidifier for sleep, and cleaning the nose with saline. We generally do not recommend cough medications, as they do not work better than a placebo, and can cause side effects.
However, severe or persistent cough can be associated with various conditions that may require evaluaiton and treatment. Any cough that is concerning in that it is unusually severe or harsh, associated with a fever lasting more than 72 hours, associated with noisy or labored breathing, or lasting more than 3 weeks, should be evaluated in the office - so please make an appointment.
