🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 75 (from laksa033)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa075.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/cough/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/cough/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/symptoms\/cough\/","crawl_time":1776177400,"first_indexed_time":1749479008,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"uk,nhs,www!\/symptoms\/cough\/ s443","src_root_hash":"11359509702434384875","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Cough - NHS","meta_descriptions":["Read about coughs, including what you can do to ease a cough, help from a pharmacist and when to see a GP."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"How you can treat a cough yourself\nThere's usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough.\nYou should:\nrest\ndrink plenty of fluids\ntry to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities\nYou could also try:\nparacetamol\nor\nibuprofen\nto treat any pain\nhot lemon and honey, which can have a similar effect to cough syrup (not suitable for babies under 1 year old)\na herbal medicine called pelargonium (suitable for people aged 12 or over)\nBut there's limited evidence to show that hot lemon and honey and herbal medicines help ease a cough.\nHow to make a hot lemon and honey drink\nSqueeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water.\nAdd 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey.\nDrink while still warm (do not give hot drinks to small children).\nInformation:\nSome medicines and herbal treatments are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.\nVideo: How to treat a cough yourself\nIn this video, a respiratory consultant explains how to treat a new cough yourself.\nMedia last reviewed: 30 April 2025\nMedia review due: 30 April 2028\nA pharmacist can help if you have a cough\nIf you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about:\ncough syrup\ncough medicine (some cough medicines should not be given to children under 12 years old)\ncough sweets\nThese will not stop your cough, but may help you cough less.\nDecongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough.\nFind a pharmacy\nNon-urgent advice:\nSee a GP if:\nyou've had a cough for more than 3 weeks (persistent cough)\nyou're losing weight for no reason\nyou have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes\nUrgent advice:\nAsk for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:\nyour cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing\nyou feel very unwell\nyou have chest pain\nthe side of your neck feels swollen and painful (swollen glands)\nyou find it hard to breathe\nyou're coughing up blood\nYou can call 111 or\nget help from 111 online\n.\nWhat happens at your appointment\nTo find out what's causing your cough, the GP might:\nlisten to your chest with a stethoscope\ntake a sample of any mucus you might be coughing up\norder an X-ray, allergy test, or a test to see how well your lungs work\nrefer you to hospital to see a specialist, but this is rare\nImportant\nAntibiotics\nare not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them – for example, if you have a bacterial infection or you're at risk of complications.\nWhat causes coughs\nMost coughs are caused by a cold or flu.\nOther causes include:\nsmoking\nheartburn (acid reflux)\nallergies – for example, hay fever\ninfections like bronchitis or COVID-19\nmucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose\nA cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.\nPage last reviewed: 08 December 2023\nNext review due: 08 December 2026","attrs_markdown":"\n\n[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/symptoms\/cough\/#maincontent)\n\n- [Health A to Z](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/health-a-to-z\/)\n- [NHS services](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/)\n- [Healthy living](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/)\n- [Mental health](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/mental-health\/)\n- [Care and support](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/social-care-and-support\/)\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/)\n- Browse More\n\n1. [Home](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/)\n2. [Health A to Z](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/health-a-to-z\/)\n3. [Symptoms A to Z](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/symptoms\/)\n\n[Back to Symptoms A to Z](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/symptoms\/)\n\n# Cough\nA cough will usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks.\n\n## How you can treat a cough yourself\nThere's usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough.\n\nYou should:\n\n- rest\n- drink plenty of fluids\n- try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities\n\nYou could also try:\n\n- [paracetamol](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/paracetamol-for-adults\/) or [ibuprofen](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/ibuprofen-for-adults\/) to treat any pain\n- hot lemon and honey, which can have a similar effect to cough syrup (not suitable for babies under 1 year old)\n- a herbal medicine called pelargonium (suitable for people aged 12 or over)\n\nBut there's limited evidence to show that hot lemon and honey and herbal medicines help ease a cough.\n\nHow to make a hot lemon and honey drink\n\n1. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water.\n2. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey.\n3. Drink while still warm (do not give hot drinks to small children).\n\nInformation:\n\nSome medicines and herbal treatments are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.\n\n## Video: How to treat a cough yourself\nIn this video, a respiratory consultant explains how to treat a new cough yourself.\n\nMedia last reviewed: 30 April 2025  \n Media review due: 30 April 2028\n\n## A pharmacist can help if you have a cough\nIf you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about:\n\n- cough syrup\n- cough medicine (some cough medicines should not be given to children under 12 years old)\n- cough sweets\n\nThese will not stop your cough, but may help you cough less.\n\nDecongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough.\n\n[Find a pharmacy](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/service-search\/pharmacy\/find-a-pharmacy)\n\n## Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:\n- you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks (persistent cough)\n- you're losing weight for no reason\n- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes\n\n## Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:\n- your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing\n- you feel very unwell\n- you have chest pain\n- the side of your neck feels swollen and painful (swollen glands)\n- you find it hard to breathe\n- you're coughing up blood\n\nYou can call 111 or [get help from 111 online](https:\/\/111.nhs.uk\/triage\/check-your-symptoms).\n\n## What happens at your appointment\nTo find out what's causing your cough, the GP might:\n\n- listen to your chest with a stethoscope\n- take a sample of any mucus you might be coughing up\n- order an X-ray, allergy test, or a test to see how well your lungs work\n- refer you to hospital to see a specialist, but this is rare\n\n### Important\n[Antibiotics](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/antibiotics\/) are not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them – for example, if you have a bacterial infection or you're at risk of complications.\n\n## What causes coughs\nMost coughs are caused by a cold or flu.\n\nOther causes include:\n\n- smoking\n- heartburn (acid reflux)\n- allergies – for example, hay fever\n- infections like bronchitis or COVID-19\n- mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose\n\nA cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.\n\nPage last reviewed: 08 December 2023  \n Next review due: 08 December 2026\n\n## Support links\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/)\n- [Health A to Z](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/health-a-to-z\/)\n- [NHS services](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/)\n- [Healthy living](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/live-well\/)\n- [Mental health](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/mental-health\/)\n- [Care and support](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/social-care-and-support\/)\n- [COVID-19](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/covid-19\/)\n\n- [NHS App](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-app\/)\n- [Find my NHS number](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/online-services\/find-nhs-number\/)\n- [View your GP health record](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/gps\/view-your-gp-health-record\/)\n- [View your test results](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/online-services\/view-your-test-results\/)\n- [About the NHS](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/using-the-nhs\/about-the-nhs\/)\n- [Healthcare abroad](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/using-the-nhs\/healthcare-abroad\/)\n\n- [Other NHS websites](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-sites\/)\n- [Profile editor login](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/our-policies\/profile-editor-login\/)\n\n- [About us](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/about-us\/)\n- [Report an issue with the NHS website](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/report-an-issue-with-the-nhs-website)\n- [Accessibility statement](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/accessibility-statement\/)\n- [Our policies](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/our-policies\/)\n- [Cookies](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/our-policies\/choose-your-cookie-settings\/)\n\n© Crown copyright","attrs_readable_markdown":"## How you can treat a cough yourself\nThere's usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough.\n\nYou should:\n\n- rest\n- drink plenty of fluids\n- try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities\n\nYou could also try:\n\n- [paracetamol](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/paracetamol-for-adults\/) or [ibuprofen](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/ibuprofen-for-adults\/) to treat any pain\n- hot lemon and honey, which can have a similar effect to cough syrup (not suitable for babies under 1 year old)\n- a herbal medicine called pelargonium (suitable for people aged 12 or over)\n\nBut there's limited evidence to show that hot lemon and honey and herbal medicines help ease a cough.\n\nHow to make a hot lemon and honey drink\n\n1. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water.\n2. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey.\n3. Drink while still warm (do not give hot drinks to small children).\n\nInformation:\n\nSome medicines and herbal treatments are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.\n\n## Video: How to treat a cough yourself\nIn this video, a respiratory consultant explains how to treat a new cough yourself.\n\nMedia last reviewed: 30 April 2025  \n Media review due: 30 April 2028\n\n## A pharmacist can help if you have a cough\nIf you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about:\n\n- cough syrup\n- cough medicine (some cough medicines should not be given to children under 12 years old)\n- cough sweets\n\nThese will not stop your cough, but may help you cough less.\n\nDecongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough.\n\n[Find a pharmacy](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/service-search\/pharmacy\/find-a-pharmacy)\n\n## Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:\n- you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks (persistent cough)\n- you're losing weight for no reason\n- you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes\n\n## Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:\n- your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing\n- you feel very unwell\n- you have chest pain\n- the side of your neck feels swollen and painful (swollen glands)\n- you find it hard to breathe\n- you're coughing up blood\n\nYou can call 111 or [get help from 111 online](https:\/\/111.nhs.uk\/triage\/check-your-symptoms).\n\n## What happens at your appointment\nTo find out what's causing your cough, the GP might:\n\n- listen to your chest with a stethoscope\n- take a sample of any mucus you might be coughing up\n- order an X-ray, allergy test, or a test to see how well your lungs work\n- refer you to hospital to see a specialist, but this is rare\n\n### Important\n[Antibiotics](https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/antibiotics\/) are not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them – for example, if you have a bacterial infection or you're at risk of complications.\n\n## What causes coughs\nMost coughs are caused by a cold or flu.\n\nOther causes include:\n\n- smoking\n- heartburn (acid reflux)\n- allergies – for example, hay fever\n- infections like bronchitis or COVID-19\n- mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose\n\nA cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.\n\nPage last reviewed: 08 December 2023  \n Next review due: 08 December 2026","meta_canonical":null}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

15 hours ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property	Value
URL	https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/cough/
Last Crawled	2026-04-14 14:36:40 (15 hours ago)
First Indexed	2025-06-09 14:23:28 (10 months ago)
HTTP Status Code	200
Meta Title	Cough - NHS
Meta Description	Read about coughs, including what you can do to ease a cough, help from a pharmacist and when to see a GP.
Meta Canonical	null
Boilerpipe Text	How you can treat a cough yourself There's usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough. You should: rest drink plenty of fluids try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities You could also try: paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat any pain hot lemon and honey, which can have a similar effect to cough syrup (not suitable for babies under 1 year old) a herbal medicine called pelargonium (suitable for people aged 12 or over) But there's limited evidence to show that hot lemon and honey and herbal medicines help ease a cough. How to make a hot lemon and honey drink Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey. Drink while still warm (do not give hot drinks to small children). Information: Some medicines and herbal treatments are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them. Video: How to treat a cough yourself In this video, a respiratory consultant explains how to treat a new cough yourself. Media last reviewed: 30 April 2025 Media review due: 30 April 2028 A pharmacist can help if you have a cough If you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about: cough syrup cough medicine (some cough medicines should not be given to children under 12 years old) cough sweets These will not stop your cough, but may help you cough less. Decongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough. Find a pharmacy Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks (persistent cough) you're losing weight for no reason you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing you feel very unwell you have chest pain the side of your neck feels swollen and painful (swollen glands) you find it hard to breathe you're coughing up blood You can call 111 or get help from 111 online . What happens at your appointment To find out what's causing your cough, the GP might: listen to your chest with a stethoscope take a sample of any mucus you might be coughing up order an X-ray, allergy test, or a test to see how well your lungs work refer you to hospital to see a specialist, but this is rare Important Antibiotics are not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them – for example, if you have a bacterial infection or you're at risk of complications. What causes coughs Most coughs are caused by a cold or flu. Other causes include: smoking heartburn (acid reflux) allergies – for example, hay fever infections like bronchitis or COVID-19 mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer. Page last reviewed: 08 December 2023 Next review due: 08 December 2026
Markdown	[Skip to main content](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/cough/#maincontent) - [Health A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/health-a-to-z/) - [NHS services](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/) - [Healthy living](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/) - [Mental health](https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/) - [Care and support](https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/) - [Home](https://www.nhs.uk/) - Browse More 1. [Home](https://www.nhs.uk/) 2. [Health A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/health-a-to-z/) 3. [Symptoms A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/) [Back to Symptoms A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/) # Cough A cough will usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks. ## How you can treat a cough yourself There's usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough. You should: - rest - drink plenty of fluids - try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities You could also try: - [paracetamol](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-adults/) or [ibuprofen](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-adults/) to treat any pain - hot lemon and honey, which can have a similar effect to cough syrup (not suitable for babies under 1 year old) - a herbal medicine called pelargonium (suitable for people aged 12 or over) But there's limited evidence to show that hot lemon and honey and herbal medicines help ease a cough. How to make a hot lemon and honey drink 1. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water. 2. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey. 3. Drink while still warm (do not give hot drinks to small children). Information: Some medicines and herbal treatments are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them. ## Video: How to treat a cough yourself In this video, a respiratory consultant explains how to treat a new cough yourself. Media last reviewed: 30 April 2025 Media review due: 30 April 2028 ## A pharmacist can help if you have a cough If you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about: - cough syrup - cough medicine (some cough medicines should not be given to children under 12 years old) - cough sweets These will not stop your cough, but may help you cough less. Decongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough. [Find a pharmacy](https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy) ## Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: - you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks (persistent cough) - you're losing weight for no reason - you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes ## Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: - your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing - you feel very unwell - you have chest pain - the side of your neck feels swollen and painful (swollen glands) - you find it hard to breathe - you're coughing up blood You can call 111 or [get help from 111 online](https://111.nhs.uk/triage/check-your-symptoms). ## What happens at your appointment To find out what's causing your cough, the GP might: - listen to your chest with a stethoscope - take a sample of any mucus you might be coughing up - order an X-ray, allergy test, or a test to see how well your lungs work - refer you to hospital to see a specialist, but this is rare ### Important [Antibiotics](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/antibiotics/) are not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them – for example, if you have a bacterial infection or you're at risk of complications. ## What causes coughs Most coughs are caused by a cold or flu. Other causes include: - smoking - heartburn (acid reflux) - allergies – for example, hay fever - infections like bronchitis or COVID-19 - mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer. Page last reviewed: 08 December 2023 Next review due: 08 December 2026 ## Support links - [Home](https://www.nhs.uk/) - [Health A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/health-a-to-z/) - [NHS services](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/) - [Healthy living](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/) - [Mental health](https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/) - [Care and support](https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/) - [COVID-19](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/) - [NHS App](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/) - [Find my NHS number](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/) - [View your GP health record](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/view-your-gp-health-record/) - [View your test results](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/view-your-test-results/) - [About the NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/) - [Healthcare abroad](https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/) - [Other NHS websites](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-sites/) - [Profile editor login](https://www.nhs.uk/our-policies/profile-editor-login/) - [About us](https://www.nhs.uk/about-us/) - [Report an issue with the NHS website](https://www.nhs.uk/report-an-issue-with-the-nhs-website) - [Accessibility statement](https://www.nhs.uk/accessibility-statement/) - [Our policies](https://www.nhs.uk/our-policies/) - [Cookies](https://www.nhs.uk/our-policies/choose-your-cookie-settings/) © Crown copyright
Readable Markdown	## How you can treat a cough yourself There's usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough. You should: - rest - drink plenty of fluids - try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities You could also try: - [paracetamol](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-adults/) or [ibuprofen](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-adults/) to treat any pain - hot lemon and honey, which can have a similar effect to cough syrup (not suitable for babies under 1 year old) - a herbal medicine called pelargonium (suitable for people aged 12 or over) But there's limited evidence to show that hot lemon and honey and herbal medicines help ease a cough. How to make a hot lemon and honey drink 1. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water. 2. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey. 3. Drink while still warm (do not give hot drinks to small children). Information: Some medicines and herbal treatments are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them. ## Video: How to treat a cough yourself In this video, a respiratory consultant explains how to treat a new cough yourself. Media last reviewed: 30 April 2025 Media review due: 30 April 2028 ## A pharmacist can help if you have a cough If you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about: - cough syrup - cough medicine (some cough medicines should not be given to children under 12 years old) - cough sweets These will not stop your cough, but may help you cough less. Decongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough. [Find a pharmacy](https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy) ## Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: - you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks (persistent cough) - you're losing weight for no reason - you have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes ## Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: - your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing - you feel very unwell - you have chest pain - the side of your neck feels swollen and painful (swollen glands) - you find it hard to breathe - you're coughing up blood You can call 111 or [get help from 111 online](https://111.nhs.uk/triage/check-your-symptoms). ## What happens at your appointment To find out what's causing your cough, the GP might: - listen to your chest with a stethoscope - take a sample of any mucus you might be coughing up - order an X-ray, allergy test, or a test to see how well your lungs work - refer you to hospital to see a specialist, but this is rare ### Important [Antibiotics](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/antibiotics/) are not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them – for example, if you have a bacterial infection or you're at risk of complications. ## What causes coughs Most coughs are caused by a cold or flu. Other causes include: - smoking - heartburn (acid reflux) - allergies – for example, hay fever - infections like bronchitis or COVID-19 - mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer. Page last reviewed: 08 December 2023 Next review due: 08 December 2026
Shard	75 (laksa)
Root Hash	11359509702434384875
Unparsed URL	uk,nhs,www!/symptoms/cough/ s443