Doctor explains if your cough is a cold, Covid or something deadly

As many Brits are falling ill with seasonal illnesses a doctor revealed how to tell what is causing your cough

It’s that time of year again when many of us seem to be ill in some form. With the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reporting cases of flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as norovirus across the country, it can be hard to know exactly what is wrong.

With this in mind an expert revealed how to distinguish certain coughs and what could be causing them. Doctor Malathy Munisamy, a clinical research physician at MAC Clinical Research, also warned that a cough that persists for weeks could be a sign of something even more serious.

Dr Munisamy explained: “If your cough lasts three weeks or more, you should book a visit to see your GP. Standard coughs, which are often ‘harmless’, settle on their own within a couple of weeks.

“A cough is simply the body's natural response to any irritations within the airways. Coughs can be categorised into three groups; acute, subacute, and chronic.”

He added: "Any cough with associated worrying or severe symptoms such as coughing up blood, hoarseness of the voice, shortness of breath, fever, weight loss, trouble swallowing, or vomiting, should immediately be assessed by your doctor or GP.”

Colds and flu

Dr Munisamy said if your cough is caused by a cold or flu it could be accompanied by yellow phlegm, as well as:

• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Sneezing
• Increased temperature/fever.

He advised: “As this cough is caused by a virus, rest, hydration, paracetamol, ibuprofen or cold relief medication are usually effective treatments. If you are taking antibiotics for viruses, these will not work and could lead to bacterial antibiotic resistance.”

Chest infections

A chest infection will be distinguishable by a chesty cough as well as:

• Wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain
• High temperature, aching muscles, fatigue and headaches
• Lots of dark yellow or green mucus.

“Chest infections can either be viral or bacterial, both are treated with different medications,” he said. “Either antiviral medication or an antibiotic can be prescribed alongside the usual advice of rest, paracetamol, and hydration.”

Covid

He advised that a cough caused by Covid will often be a new continuous cough, which means you cough a lot for more than an hour or have three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours. You might also have:

• A high temperature
• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• Shortness of breath and/or a sore throat
• Tiredness, runny nose, diarrhoea.

To treat it Dr Munisamy said: “While there are vaccinations against developing severe symptoms of Covid, treatment is mostly the same as when you have a cold or flu; staying hydrated, getting lots of sleep, and paracetamol for when you feel uncomfortable.”

Pneumonia

He advised that symptoms of pneumonia include:

• A wet cough, sometimes with foul-smelling green or yellow mucus
• Shortness of breath, chest pain, and a wheezing noise when you breathe
• A high temperature
• Aches and pains and feeling very tired
• Loss of appetite.

“Pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, much the same as a chest infection, but the infection and its symptoms are much more severe,” he said.

To treat it hydration and medication, such as antibiotics or antivirals, is recommended, but if you are at risk of serious illness, (for instance, if you are over 65), have cardiovascular disease, a lung condition, or if it is your baby or child that has pneumonia, you may need to go to hospital to receive further treatment and oxygen.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

This falls into the chronic category and can include:

• Shortness of breath and a persistent cough
• Wheezing and chest tightness
• Fatigue and frequent respiratory infections
• Increased amounts of mucus, commonly coloured brown.

COPD is a term given to a group of lung conditions including bronchitis and emphysema. Prolonged or long-term exposure to damaging irritants, such as smoking, dust, chemicals, and fumes are the primary cause of COPD.

Dr Munisamy said: “There is currently no cure for this progressive illness, but there are lifestyle changes which can help ease symptoms and aim to prolong life expectancy. These include stopping smoking, bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, pulmonary rehabilitation, and oxygen therapy. Speak to your doctor or GP about the options available.”

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

Another chronic condition, this can cause:

• Shortness of breath and a persistent dry, hacking cough
• Chest discomfort or chest pain
• Fatigue and unintentional weight loss
• Clubbing of the fingers and toes
• Producing a brown or red-tinged phlegm.

The cause of pulmonary fibrosis is unknown, however, there are several theories proposed for contributing to the development of IPF, such as long-term exposure to various environmental agents, including dust, pollutants, and certain occupational hazards, genetic factors and potentially some viral infections.

Treatments include medications, supplemental oxygen, pulmonary rehabilitation, and, in some cases, lung transplantation.

Lung cancer

With 34,800 deaths per year, lung cancer is the UK's biggest cancer killer. In 72 per cent of cases, lung cancer is caused by smoking alone.

Symptoms include:

• Constant coughing and shortness of breath
• May also experience shoulder pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, or pain when you take in a deep breath
• Coughing up blood or a pink/red phlegm.

Dr Munisamy added: “If you are worried about a new persistent cough, or you’re concerned that the symptoms described above fit with your condition, then do consult your GP or doctor at the earliest opportunity.”