Whether an individual is sick enough to stay in bed or just doesn’t feel well, a cough is often an indication of illness. Someone who feels sick and has a cough needs to determine the cause and whether it’s minor or serious.
Anyone who meets any of these criteria should make an appointment with their family physician:
A cough that has lasted for 2 or more weeks without improvement
A cough that last more than few days and is accompanied by fever over 100.
A cough that brings up mucous that is green or yellow or is streaked with blood.
If coughing keeps sleep away
If a cough is accompanied by feeling really sick
Anyone with a harsh, barking cough requires medical attention. In young children, a harsh, barking cough may indicate croup which can be serious if not properly treated.
Anyone who coughs up blood, pink froth, or feels short of breath should skip the office appointment and head for the emergency room.
Common illnesses that are characterized by coughing include acute bronchitis, influenza, pneumonia, the common cold, and tuberculosis.
Acute bronchitis has symptoms that include tightness in the chest, sick but able to function, cough that produces green or yellow mucous, and a low-grade fever. Acute bronchitis responds quickly to antibiotics but without treatment can worsen.
Influenza – true flu and not a stomach bug – is unmistakable. Flu sufferers feel very ill, have acute headaches and body aches, and feel exhausted, run a high fever, and have a dry cough. To prevent influenza, have an annual flu shot. If influenza strikes, ask a doctor about anti-viral treatments that can minimize flu. Products such as Tami-Flu may work for some patients but not for others.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Untreated, it can lead to complications and even death in elderly patients. There are two types, viral and bacterial. Symptoms of viral pneumonia include feeling sick but able to function, achy body, possible sore throat, coughing up green or yellow mucous, and low fever. Bacterial pneumonia makes patients feel very sick with pain in the chest, high fever and chills, and short of breath. Both types of pneumonia are characterized by coughing.