Curing Your Cough and When to Seek Care

Living in Central Florida offers a unique lifestyle, from the vibrant energy of Orlando to the surrounding natural beauty. But our region's specific climate, with its long pollen seasons and distinct respiratory patterns, can also present unique health challenges. A persistent cough can be more than just an annoyance; it can be a sign of anything from seasonal allergies to a more serious respiratory illness.

If you have a cough and are wondering if it’s time to see a doctor, this guide will help you understand the causes, symptoms, and when to seek medical care

Understanding Different Types of Coughs

The first step in figuring out what's causing your cough is to identify its type. Is it producing mucus? Is it a dry, hacking sound? Here are the common coughs you might experience in Central Florida.

Wet Cough

A wet, or productive, cough is one that brings up mucus or phlegm. This is your body's way of clearing irritants and infections from your respiratory system.

• Common Causes: Colds, influenza (the flu), bronchitis, and pneumonia are often associated with wet coughs.
• Local Context: Central Florida's respiratory season for viruses like RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) typically runs from August to March. These viruses can lead to significant mucus production and a lingering wet cough.

Dry Cough

A dry, non-productive cough doesn't produce any mucus. It often feels like a tickle in the back of your throat that you can't clear.

• Common Causes: This type of cough is frequently linked to allergies, asthma, acid reflux, or exposure to irritants like smoke and air pollution.
• Local Context: Central Florida is known for its lengthy and intense pollen seasons, especially from oak and pine trees. These allergens are a major trigger for dry, hacking coughs among residents.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Characterized by a distinctive "whooping" sound when you inhale after a coughing fit, whooping cough is a serious and highly contagious bacterial infection. It is particularly

dangerous for infants who are not yet fully vaccinated. While less common, outbreaks can still occur.

Chronic Cough

A cough is considered chronic if it lasts for eight weeks or longer in adults. This type of persistent cough requires medical attention to determine the underlying cause.

• Common Causes: Smoking, postnasal drip, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are frequent culprits. According to the Florida Department of Health, chronic lower respiratory disease is one of the leading causes of death in Orange County.

How Long Have You Been Coughing?

The duration of your cough is a key indicator of its severity.

• A few days to a week: A cough that appears with a cold or mild allergy flare-up and resolves within a week is usually not a cause for concern.
• More than two weeks: If your cough persists for more than two weeks, it's time to consult a healthcare provider. A lingering cough could signal a secondary infection like bronchitis or something more serious that needs treatment.
• Eight weeks or longer: As mentioned, this is a chronic cough and should always be evaluated by a doctor.

Pay Attention to Other Symptoms

Your cough rarely acts alone. Other symptoms can provide important clues about what's happening in your body. Seek medical care if your cough is accompanied by any of the following:

• Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing or feeling like you can't get enough air is a serious symptom.
• Fever: A high or persistent fever can indicate your body is fighting a significant infection.
• Chest Pain: Pain or tightness in your chest when you cough or breathe needs immediate evaluation.
• Wheezing: A whistling sound when you breathe can be a sign of asthma or other airway obstructions.
• Fatigue: Extreme tiredness that interferes with your daily activities.
• Coughing up Blood: Any amount of blood in your phlegm warrants an urgent trip to the doctor.

When to Seek Medical Care in Central Florida

While many coughs resolve on their own, certain situations require professional medical advice. You should see a doctor if:

• Your cough lasts longer than two weeks.
• You have a high fever, chest pain, or are coughing up blood.
• Your cough is severe and disrupts your sleep or daily life.
• You have underlying health conditions like asthma, heart disease, or a compromised immune system.

Find the Right Level of Care at UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care

Deciding where to go for medical care when you're experiencing chest pain can be stressful. But at UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care Center, our primary goal is to provide the residents of our community with exceptional service and the proper billing for the care they need. Our combined emergency room and urgent care are fully equipped to handle everything from allergies to fractures, fever to chest pain, with on-site labs, X-ray, ultrasound and CT imaging, all under one roof. The ER and urgent care centers are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

No appointment is necessary – just walk in! Find the UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care Center nearest you today!