Coughs
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Do you have pain in the muscles or ribs of the chest (chest wall pain)?
See significance of chest wall pain if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Do you have severe chest wall pain?
Yes Do you have chest wall pain that is causing mild true shortness of breath?
Yes Are you coughing up blood?
Yes Do you have pain deep in the leg or calf?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Do you have moderate chest wall pain?
Yes Do you have mild difficulty breathing?
Yes Do you have a fever of 100°F (38°C) or higher with no other cause?
Yes Do you think that you have a fever, but you are unable to measure your temperature?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Is chest wall pain that has continued for more than 24 hours interfering with rest or sleep?
Yes Have you had sudden, sharp chest wall pain that lasts for only a few seconds but comes and goes for 24 hours or longer?
Yes Have you had mild chest wall pain when you cough or take a deep breath for longer than 3 days?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: February 25, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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