A cough will usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks.

There is usually no need to see a GP if you have a short-term cough and you are otherwise well. Most coughs are caused by a cold, flu or another respiratory infection.

Get urgent help if:

Call 999 if you are struggling to breathe, have severe chest pain, cough up a lot of blood, or feel very unwell and need emergency help.

Contact your GP practice urgently if you are coughing up blood.

Could it be a respiratory infection, including COVID-19?

A cough can be caused by a respiratory infection such as a cold, flu, bronchitis or COVID-19.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and you feel unwell or have a high temperature, Welsh Government guidance advises staying at home and avoiding contact with others until you feel better or no longer have a high temperature.

If you are worried about your symptoms, they are getting worse, or you cannot manage at home, contact your GP practice or NHS 111 Wales. In an emergency, call 999.

Read respiratory infection guidance for Wales

NHS 111 Wales cough information

NHS 111 Wales has trusted information about coughs, including causes, self-care, pharmacy advice and when to get medical help.

Read the NHS 111 Wales cough guide
How to treat a cough yourself

To help yourself feel better:

  • rest
  • drink plenty of fluids
  • try paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat any pain or discomfort, if these medicines are suitable for you
  • try hot lemon and honey to soothe your throat. Do not give honey to babies under 1 year old

There is limited evidence that hot lemon and honey, or herbal medicines such as pelargonium, will treat a cough, but some people find them soothing.

How to make a hot lemon and honey drink

Hot lemon with honey can have a similar soothing effect to some cough medicines.

To make it:

  • squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water
  • add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey
  • drink while it is still warm

Do not give hot drinks to small children. Do not give honey to babies under 1 year old.

A pharmacist can help with a cough

You can ask a pharmacist about:

  • cough syrup
  • cough medicine. Some cough medicines should not be given to children under 12
  • cough sweets

These will not stop your cough completely, but they may help you cough less.

Decongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough.

Find a pharmacy
See a GP if:

See a GP if:

  • you have had a cough for more than 3 weeks
  • your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse, for example you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing
  • you feel very unwell
  • you have chest pain
  • you are losing weight for no reason
  • the side of your neck feels swollen and painful, which may be swollen glands
  • you find it hard to breathe
  • you have a weakened immune system, for example because of chemotherapy or diabetes

Contact your GP practice urgently if you are coughing up blood.

What might happen at your appointment

To find out what is causing your cough, the GP may:

  • take a sample of any mucus you are coughing up
  • arrange an X-ray, allergy test, or a test to see how well your lungs work
  • refer you to hospital to see a specialist, although this is rare
Antibiotics

Antibiotics are not normally prescribed for coughs.

A GP will only prescribe antibiotics if you need them, for example if you have a bacterial infection or you are at risk of complications.

Antibiotics do not work for viral infections such as colds, flu or COVID-19. They will not relieve symptoms or help you get better faster if the cough is caused by a virus.

Common causes of a cough

Most coughs are caused by a cold or flu.

Other causes can include:

  • COVID-19 or another respiratory infection
  • smoking
  • heartburn or acid reflux
  • allergies, such as hay fever
  • infections such as bronchitis
  • mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose

A cough is very rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.