Chronic cough — which specialty
A cough lasting more than three weeks, with or without phlegm.
Usually seen by
Respiratory medicine
Other directions, depending on what comes with it:
- ENT — with post-nasal drip or hoarseness
- Gastroenterology — if the cough is worse at night with heartburn
- General internal medicine — if it began after a change of blood pressure medicine
Not sure you have picked the right one? Start with general internal medicine — routing you to the right place is their job, not yours.
Go now, without waiting for an appointment, if any of these apply
- Coughing blood, even a small amount
- Cough with unintended weight loss and night sweats
- Cough with fever lasting more than two weeks
- Cough with worsening breathlessness
This list is not exhaustive and does not replace judgement on the spot. If something is clearly wrong and you are unsure, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest facility — waiting in order to be certain is the most dangerous way to spend the time.
What you will be asked — have the answers ready
- How long, counted in weeks
- Dry or productive, what colour, worse in the morning or at night
- Whether you smoke or live with someone who does
- Whether your workplace has dust, chemicals or smoke
- Whether anyone around you has the same long cough
A first appointment is short. Having these answers ready is the cheapest way to avoid a second visit that exists only to supply information.
Bring with you
- The date the cough started
- Previous chest films
- A list of current medicines
What a first visit usually involves
- Listening to the chest
- A chest X-ray
- Sputum testing if prolonged infection is suspected