Dr Sara on when to go to GP with cough
With temperatures creeping down and people flocking indoors, viruses and other infections rejoice and spread throughout the population.
Whether you’re sitting on a bus or browsing the shelves of your local supermarket, the sounds of cough are starting to echo through spaces everywhere at the moment.
A lot of people get a chest infection during this time which can be either viral or bacterial in nature.
Most commonly these infections are triggered by a virus which means you can use home remedies and over-the-counter medications to get better, according to Dr Sara Kayat.
However, the doctor warned of three signs that could mean it’s time to see a GP about your cough.
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The TV doctor explained that viral coughs tend to leave within three weeks and don’t usually warrant an appointment with a doctor.
Speaking on ITV’s show This Morning, she said: “You know it’s a virus when you get a runny nose alongside it, you may get a headache, temperatures.
“Also with an infection, [you’ll] often feel pain when you cough or sometimes even shortness of breath.
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“Generally, even though all these symptoms sound horrendous, they get better within three weeks.”
When to see a GP about your cough
However, there are three red flag signs that may point to bacterial infection and potentially need to be investigated by your GP.
The doctor added: “If they don’t get better within three weeks, if your symptoms are worsening, if you are feeling particularly unwell, it may be bacterial in nature. At that point, you may need to go see your GP.”
Effective home remedy for a cough
Fortunately, the doctor revealed three ingredients she swears by when it comes to treating your cough at home – honey, lemon and ginger.
Dr Sara said: “Honey is an antiseptic in itself, it also helps to coat the throat so you get rid of the tickle. The lemon has got vitamin C to help optimise your immune system. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory.
“Even NICE [National Institute for Health and Care Excellence] suggests that we can use this over using cough syrups and suppressants that you would get in the pharmacy because they are just as effective.”
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