What is a NEW persistent cough

[ACurlyWurly]

I've had this for 15 days. A heavy chest and persistent cough
Some days it's really bad then it gets a little better and then it's bad again.
Is it 'new'

My interpretation only:

Yes. And it should be continuous, ie ‘without interruption’. Maybe you’d have gone to the Dr by now if you’d had continuous coughing for 15 days?

BUT, that’s my very narrow reading of it. I think his wording was ambiguous.

ACurly I'm in the same boat, day 15 today. Debilitating as anything and tis only the last two nights I've managed a decent sleep due to my husband concocting a single malt/Lemsip type beverage at bedtime. I'm reluctant to go to the doctors in case I spread my germs whilst there and instead heading to the pharmacy this morning to get their take on it.

I have been able to work in this time it is constant but worse when I'm tired at the end of the day. I'm not sleeping but am so busy I have soldiered on as we tend to do. Have tried to phone 111 in last week but hold was so long and I was able to function I have given up.