Cough in adults

When to seek medical advice

Consult your doctor if your cough lasts longer than a week or is accompanied by:

Difficulty breathing
Difficult or painful swallowing
Thick green or yellow phlegm or sputum
Bloody phlegm or sputum
Wheezing
High or persistent fever

Find possible causes of cough based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your symptom.

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Cough in adults

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