A cough is your body’s natural defense mechanism. But when a cough lingers for weeks, it goes from a minor annoyance to a disruptive, exhausting, and worrying symptom.
Is it just the dry, recycled air in your NYC office? Is it the remnants of a cold? Or is it something more, like bronchitis or pneumonia?
Figuring out the “why” behind your persistent cough is the first step to finally getting some relief. And you can get a professional evaluation without leaving your home.
What’s Causing Your Lingering Cough?
In the winter, a cough that lasts more than two weeks could be from several different causes.
- Post-Viral Cough: This is the most common reason. After your body fights off a cold or flu, the airways can remain inflamed and overly sensitive for weeks, triggering a dry, hacking cough.
- Bronchitis: This is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes. It often starts as a dry cough but can progress to one that brings up discolored mucus. It’s usually viral, but a certified medical practitioner can help you manage the severe symptoms.
- Pneumonia: This is a more serious infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. A cough (often with mucus), fever, chills, and difficulty breathing are all key signs. This requires prompt medical evaluation.
- Sinusitis: A post-nasal drip from a sinus infection is a very common cause of a chronic cough.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Cough
Don’t just “wait it out” if your cough is severe or accompanied by other symptoms. It’s time to see a medical professional if you experience:
- A cough that lasts more than 2-3 weeks.
- A cough that produces thick, discolored mucus or blood.
- Fever, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
- A “barking” cough or wheezing.
Get Your Cough Checked Out at Home
The idea of sitting in a waiting room, coughing and making others uncomfortable (and vice-versa), is miserable. Sickday.com lets you skip that entire process.
A certified medical practitioner will come to your home to perform a thorough evaluation.
- Listen to Your Lungs: This is the most critical step. Using a stethoscope, our practitioner will listen carefully to your breathing and lung sounds. This helps them identify the tell-tale signs of bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Check Your Vitals: They will check your temperature and, most importantly, your oxygen saturation level (with a pulse oximeter) to ensure you are breathing effectively.
- Review Your Symptoms: They’ll discuss your full symptom timeline to determine the most likely cause, whether it’s viral, bacterial, or inflammation.
- Create a Treatment Plan: Based on their diagnosis, they’ll create a plan for relief. This could include prescription-strength cough medicine, an inhaler (like Albuterol) to open your airways, or antibiotics if they suspect a bacterial infection.
Don’t let a persistent cough disrupt your sleep and your life. Get the answers and the relief you need, right where you are.
Book a visit now through our website for a professional at-home evaluation.
