Fall in New England means colds are making the rounds again. Most coughs fade on their own, but some hang on for weeks or turn into something more serious. Here is how to tell a simple chest cold from bronchitis or pneumonia, what helps at home, and when it is time to get checked.
Why a cough can linger after a cold
A cough is your body’s way of clearing mucus and germs from your airways. After a cold, the lining of your airways can stay irritated for a while, so the cough often outlasts the stuffy nose and sore throat. That is common and usually not a sign that something is wrong.
Most coughs that start with a cold are caused by viruses. That is also why antibiotics usually do not help. According to the CDC, antibiotics will not help you get better from a chest cold, and taking them when you do not need them can cause side effects.
Chest cold, bronchitis or pneumonia?
These three can feel alike at first, but they are not the same:
- Chest cold (acute bronchitis): Swelling of the airways in your lungs, usually from a virus. You may have a hacking cough, mucus, a sore throat, a runny nose, tiredness, body aches or a low fever. The CDC says these symptoms usually last less than 3 weeks.
- Pneumonia: An infection deeper in the lungs. It tends to make people sicker, with fever, chills, a cough that may bring up mucus, fast or hard breathing, and chest pain when you breathe or cough. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria and may need treatment.
- Something else: Allergies, asthma, acid reflux or whooping cough can also cause a cough that will not quit. A provider can help sort out the cause.
Some people are more likely to get very sick from pneumonia. The CDC lists adults 65 and older, children under 5, people who smoke, and people with heart, lung or liver disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. If you or your child is in one of these groups, it is smart to get checked sooner.
What helps at home
For a mild chest cold, these steps from the CDC can help you feel better while your body heals:
- Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.
- Use a clean humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer, or breathe in steam from a hot shower.
- Try saline nose spray or drops for congestion.
- Use throat lozenges or cough drops, but not for children under 4 because of the choking risk.
- Try a spoonful of honey for cough in adults and children 1 year and older. Never give honey to babies under 1.
- Avoid smoke, including secondhand smoke, which can make a cough worse.
Ask a pharmacist or your doctor before giving any over-the-counter cough or cold medicine to young children, and always follow the label.
When to visit urgent care
The CDC recommends seeing a healthcare professional if you have:
- A fever of 104°F or higher, or a fever that lasts more than 5 days
- A cough that brings up bloody mucus
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Symptoms that last more than 3 weeks
- Bronchitis that keeps coming back
Also call a doctor right away if a baby younger than 3 months has a fever of 100.4°F or higher.
At our Acton and Canton clinics, a provider can listen to your lungs and check your oxygen level. If pneumonia is a concern, we can take a chest X-ray on site, and we offer rapid COVID and flu testing too. Learn more about our X-ray, EKG and lab services and the illnesses and infections we treat. No appointment is needed, and you can reserve your spot online to save time.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if…
- You have severe trouble breathing, or you are struggling to speak in full sentences
- Lips, face or fingernails look blue or gray
- You have chest pain or pressure that does not go away
- You are coughing up more than a small amount of blood
- A person is confused, very hard to wake, or fainting
- A baby or child is breathing very fast, grunting, or pulling in at the ribs with each breath
Help keep coughs from spreading
Simple habits make a big difference during cold and flu season. Wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow, stay home when you are sick, and let in fresh air when you can. Staying up to date on recommended vaccines, such as the yearly flu vaccine, also helps protect you and the people around you.
Most lingering coughs get better with time and rest. But if yours is getting worse instead of better, or something just does not feel right, trust your gut and get it checked.