Cough

A new cough is not usually serious and will most often go away without any treatment. There are many possible causes of a cough, with a cold or flu being the main ones. You do not need to take antibiotics for most coughs.

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When to get medical advice for a cough

Contact a healthcare provider or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice if you have a cough and you:

  • have trouble breathing
  • feel very unwell, which includes having a fever, not being able to eat and drink, and feeling weak
  • cough up blood
  • have chest pain.

Causes of cough

Most coughs are caused by a viral infection, such as a cold, flu or COVID-19 infection.

Other possible causes include:

  • asthma
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • bacterial infection causing bronchitis or pneumonia
  • whooping cough (pertussis)
  • allergy such as hay fever
  • acid reflux (when acid in your stomach spills up to the top of your food pipe and mouth)
  • heart failure.

Symptoms of cough

A dry cough can sound irritated, harsh or barking.

A wet cough can sound rattly and produces mucus (phlegm or sputum).

Mucus can range in colour from clear to white to green or yellow. Coloured mucus can happen with a viral infection and does not usually mean you need antibiotics.

A whistling sound (wheeze) while breathing means you have narrowed airways, such as in asthma.

Self care for a cough

With most coughs, there are several things you can do to help yourself to feel better:

  • rest
  • drink plenty of fluids — aim for 8 to 10 cups a day
  • try warm, soothing drinks such as lemon and honey
  • take a teaspoon of honey, especially at night
  • avoid smoke and, if you smoke, stop
  • use your inhaler more often if you have asthma or COPD.

Cough mixtures or lozenges have not been found to be more helpful than simple home remedies. If you are going to try one, ask a pharmacist which cough medicine may be suitable for you.

To protect others and reduce the risk of spreading your cough:

  • wash and dry your hands often
  • cough into your elbow
  • stay away from other people.

Treating a cough

Most coughs are caused by a viral infection and get better without any treatment.

Contact your healthcare provider if your cough lasts more than 3 weeks.

The treatment for other coughs will depend on the cause.

Preventing a cough

  • Stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing.
  • Consider wearing a mask when you are around a lot of people.
  • Wash and dry your hands often.
  • Keep up to date with immunisations, including those for flu (influenza), COVID-19 and whooping cough (pertussis).
  • If you smoke quit.

Vaccines given in Aotearoa

Book a vaccine

Quitting smoking

Cough in children

Coughing is common in tamariki, especially when they are preschool age. You should see a healthcare provider or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice if:

  • the cough has lasted more than 4 weeks (it may be a sign of more serious disease)
  • your tamaitihas a cough and a fever
  • your tamaiti is having trouble breathing.

When to get medical help for a cough — KidsHealth