Cough Treatment

Name: Hola Health
Address: Australia
Telephone: +611300014652
Price range: $

Cough can result from colds, allergies,infections, or smoking. Get 24/7 telehealth consultations with our Australian-registered doctors and receive medical advice from home in just 15 minutes.

This guide does not replace professional care. In emergencies, call 000 or visit a hospital immediately.

About cough

A cough acts as a reflex action, a protective mechanism to expel dust, irritants, foreign particles or mucus from our airways. Several factors can trigger coughing, including infections like the common cold or flu, allergies, environmental irritants, asthma, or acid reflux from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Coughs can be broadly categorised into acute coughs (Last less than 3 weeks) and persistent coughs (last more than 3 weeks. A cough that produces phlegm or mucus is termed a productive cough and may indicate conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, or the flu. You should consult a doctor if your cough produces blood or is associated with high fever. Conversely, a cough without mucus is referred to as a dry or nonproductive cough.

Medically reviewed by Dr Vishnu, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer at Hola

On this page:

Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

When to consult a doctor for a cough?

If you encounter any of the following concerns, it’s important to consult a doctor. Seek medical advice if you are experiencing:

Persistent cough: If it lasts longer than 3 weeks or progressively worsens
Other symptoms: Accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest pain
Blood in mucus: Coughing up blood or blood-streaked mucus.
Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without any obvious reason
Underlying health condition: If you have asthma, COPD, heart disease or immunity issues
Medicine side effect: If you think your cough is a side effect of any medicine
Disrupts sleep: If your cough causes sleep issues or disrupts daily activities
Travel: If your cough starts after your travel to any areas with rampant infectious diseases.

What are the symptoms?

Cough can occur at all ages from babies to older adults. Cough intensifies with other underlying health conditions and should be treated immediately if it lasts for more than 3 weeks. Here are some symptoms seen in cough:

No mucus but usually a tickly and irritated throat (Dry cough)
Congestion, heavy feeling in the chest, coughing up mucus (Chesty cough)
Cough that lasts more than 3 weeks (Chronic or persistent cough)
Stuffy nose and fever along with a blocked larynx and trachea, commonly seen in children under 5 (Croup cough)
Coughing in long spells and ending with a whooping sound (Whooping cough)
Phlegm (thick mucus, also called sputum), especially phlegm is yellow, green, or bloody.
Fever or chills
The feeling of liquid running back the throat
Hoarseness from excessive coughing.

How to stop coughing?

Acute cough can be treated using home remedies, rest and over-the-counter medications whereas chronic cough needs medical attention. It is important to understand when your cough is serious. so you can speak to a doctor without delay.

How to stop a constant cough in a child?

Constant cough in a child would be a cause of concern for the parent and troublesome to the chills. You can alleviate it with effective home remedies for constant cough in a child such as hydration, steam inhalation, intake of warm fluids etc. If the persistent cough in a child lasts more than a few days, it is important to contact a doctor immediately.

How to stop coughing at night?

A night-time cough can leave you feeling frustrated and exhausted. Lying down at night usually increases conditions such as post-nasal drip or acid reflux which is the cause of increased night cough. Natural remedies for coughing at night include using honey, using a humidifier, putting one in an elevated sleep position, and more.

How long do coughs last?

Coughs that last less than three weeks are typically known as acute coughs and are not serious. Some coughs last beyond 3 weeks and should be treated promptly.

Can an online doctor help if the GP near me is not available?

A telehealth appointment with an online doctor can help in determining the possible causes of a cough. A virtual doctor will assess your symptoms, past medical history and the medications you are on to diagnose the possible causes of your cough. Upon assessing your condition, the GP online could issue a medical certificate online if needed, an instant script or a doctor’s referral for further assessment. Online doctor’s appointments are available 24/7 and can be accessed from anywhere in Australia. Now there is no need to worry or search for “GP near me” as Hola makes it easy to access Australia-registered medical practitioners with the click of a button.

How can we help?

We provide a fast and convenient way for you to see a doctor from the comfort of your own home, or on the go with your phone or any smart device. Using our secure telehealth platform, you can have a video call with a registered health practitioner or a doctor on-demand in 15 minutes or less. We’re open every day, 24 hours a day – including public holidays – because we know illness and injury can happen anytime, day or night, and need immediate medical attention.

Much like an in-person GP clinic, our telehealth doctor will conduct a comprehensive assessment, including:

pre-existing conditions, family history and lifestyle.
preferred treatment options and how to access them.
individualised advice to manage your condition.
referrals or scripts for cough (if required) at the discretion of the doctor.

Talk to a doctor about cough

Telehealth helps you connect with an AHPRA-licensed online doctor within minutes. Hola Health provides 24/7 access to qualified medical practitioners in Australia within 15 minutes for:

Access telehealth services

GP near me

After-hours GP

Medical certificate

Scripts online

Referrals

Telehealth

Conditions we treat