Coughing is a common illness symptom. Coughs can range from mild and occasional to severe and persistent depending on what is causing the cough. In many cases, coughs clear up on their own over time. Mild coughs usually don’t require medical treatment to resolve. However, if your cough is continuing to worsen over time or has persisted longer than your other illness symptoms, it's important that you seek medical care.
A persistent cough could indicate that you have a more serious condition that requires medical treatment. By understanding the causes of chronic cough and the symptoms that require treatment, you can opt for urgent care services without thinking twice. If you’re suffering from a persistent cough, visit AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch for same-day diagnosis and treatment in West Long Branch, NJ.
Common Causes of Persistent Cough
In order to identify whether your cough requires medical care, you have to identify the underlying cause. Coughs can be caused by a variety of different infections. Coughing can also be a symptom of environmental irritants like allergies. This can make it difficult to self-diagnose the cause of a cough.
Viral infections like common colds, flu, and other viral respiratory illnesses often lead to a cough that lasts for a few weeks. Viral coughs can come in many forms, however, tend to not be painful and don’t worsen over time. Other causes of chronic cough associated with allergies are post-nasal drip and airway inflammation, including hay fever, allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, and GERD. Coughs that worsen over time typically are associated with bacterial infections in the lungs such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Cough
You can rest assured that coughs, including the severe type, tend to leave after a few days of starting. If your cough is worsening over time, rather than improving, you should seek medical care. Seeking a medical diagnosis is the fastest way to understand what is causing your cough and get the required treatment to resolve your symptoms.
If your cough lasts for more than three weeks or keeps you from living your everyday life, seek medical care to rule out serious problems like pneumonia or other respiratory infections. Seeking medical care early can help you avoid complications associated with delaying care.
Cough Diagnosis & Treatment Options at AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch
If you’re suffering from a persistent cough that is worsening over time or causing symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing or producing discolored mucus, you should seek medical diagnosis at urgent care. Your medical provider can evaluate your symptoms and perform diagnostic testing to accurately determine what is causing your symptoms. This will allow your medical provider to provide the most effective treatment to help you recover quickly.
If your cough is due to a bacterial infection, your medical provider may prescribe antibiotics for treatment. If it is caused by a viral infection, your medical provider can help you select the best over-the-counter medications available to manage your symptoms while your body fights off the infection. If your cough is due to something like seasonal allergies, your medical provider can help you manage your allergies moving forward. At AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch, our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with a full laboratory on-site to provide rapid and accurate diagnoses.
Visit AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch for Same-Day Illness Diagnosis & Treatment
If you’re experiencing a lingering cough, the fastest way to resolve your symptoms is to seek medical care for proper diagnosis and treatment. At AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch, our clinic is equipped with a full laboratory which allows our medical staff to quickly and accurately diagnose the cause of your cough and provide the appropriate course of treatment. We understand that your time is valuable, which is why our clinic maintains short wait times and accepts walk-in patients. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you, or schedule an appointment online.
Schedule an Appointment Get Directions
Our clinic is conveniently located in West Long Branch, NJ, and accepts most major medical insurance plans. When you’re in need of rapid symptom relief, you can count on AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch. Walk into the clinic today. For more information, contact us directly by calling (732) 222-8000.
