When to see doctor about cough?

[oscarcat99]

Back at the start of December I had a really bad cold. Three days off work because I couldn't move without coughing and was struggling to sleep. Took a PCR which was negative and have taken regular lateral flows since, also all negative. Gradually got better after that but 6 weeks on the cough although reduced is still there.

It's not all the time but comes in bouts and is tickly and annoying rather than deeper - at no point have I had any indication of a chest infection. I'm well in myself otherwise, triple jabbed and have never had COVID despite DH and DS having it in August.

I think ordinarily I might have gone to the dr by now but I'm hesitant because of NHS burden/will they want to see me with a cough anyway/apathy. Would be good to hear thoughts.

Coughs can take ages to go completely. DH had one last autumn and although he felt better after a couple of weeks of hacking causing headaches etc, but the tickle took a few weeks more. If it’s improving I’d give it a couple more weeks and then see a GP if no improvement.

Obviously keep testing as it may be a new cough.

I think the guidance has always been see GP after three weeks with a cough as there are many things that can cause it.
My daughter's long cough turned out to be asthma. My friend just had a non covid cough for a month which turned out to be a chest infection she needed antibiotics to shake.

@iloverunningslow yes it has but 3 weeks is nothing for a cough following a cold. I think a random cough which hasn’t followed a cold is different.

Hi OP, just had a tickly cough at night for weeks, it was driving me mad. I had yo go to doctor who prescribed PPIs and nasa anti histamine and steroids, gone now!