Coughing is a common symptom of many respiratory infections and various conditions, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Oftentimes, coughs can linger after the initial illness has subsided. It’s important to be aware of the various underlying health conditions that cause a persistent cough in order to know when medical care is necessary. 

For same-day cough treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Elizabeth. One of our board-certified medical providers can diagnose your condition and guide you through the treatment process. Simply walk-in or check-in online today!

Determine The Cause

The first step in treating a persistent cough is to determine the cause. If you’ve recently been recovering from a respiratory infection, like the common cold or flu, it’s not unlikely that some symptoms will linger– including a cough. Lingering coughs are typically caused a build-up of mucus in your throat, which is called post-nasal drip. The accumulation of mucus in your throat can trigger a cough reflex that lasts longer than the infection itself. 

It’s important to understand what is causing your cough in order to determine the best course of treatment. It’s possible your cough has developed from allergies, a sinus infection, acute bronchitis, or pneumonia. While there are many potential causes of a lingering cough, it can be difficult to self-diagnose your condition. If your cough lasts longer than a week or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care for a proper diagnosis. 

Methods to Alleviate Your Symptoms

There are a few methods you can follow to help manage your symptoms and find relief. Here are some effective ways to treat a cough that lingers after a cold or other illness:

• Stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of fluids to clear mucus from your airways and relieve cough symptoms
• Take over-the-counter (OTC) medications for cough relief 
• Try gargling with salt water to relieve a sore throat and reduce coughing
• Allow your body to recover with plenty of rest
• Avoid irritants, like cigarette smoke or pollution, to ensure your cough doesn’t worsen. Consider using a humidifier to keep the air inside your house moist

Seek Medical Attention for Treatment

While a persistent cough can be annoying and disruptive, it’s important to monitor your symptoms closely as it can be a sign of an underlying health issue. If your cough has worsened, lasted for longer than a week, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, seek medical care. Concerning symptoms include a high fever, chest pain or difficulty breathing. An urgent care center is a great resource for individuals to receive a quick and convenient diagnosis and speak to a professional about how to treat symptoms.  

A medical provider can determine what’s triggering your lingering cough and recommend a cough treatment regimen to make sure you recover as quickly as possible. If your cough is caused by seasonal allergies, there are ways to manage and reduce symptoms so you can get back to living life uninterrupted. Whatever the case may be, AFC Urgent Care Elizabeth has you covered.

Visit AFC Urgent Care Elizabeth for Same-Day Care

Whenever you need to get bronchitis care, or determine the cause of your lingering cough, AFC Urgent Care Elizabeth is here to help. Our lab testing services can help you diagnose the root cause of your illness to effectively plan treatment. One of our experienced medical providers can help plan a treatment plan that is specialized for your individual case. The clinic is open seven days a week with walk-in visits welcomed. 

If you have any additional questions about cough treatment, or other services we provide, please call our office directly at (908) 677-5900