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Coughing

in adults and children

Infoblatt_Husten (PDF, 279 KB)

Coughing is one of the most common symptoms. The most common cause for coughing is a harmless common cold. As a rule, a cough will go away on its own within two to three weeks (= acute cough).

If a cough lasts longer than eight weeks, it is referred to as chronic cough.


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What can you do yourself to relieve an acute cough?


Treatment without medication:

  • Drink enough, but not much more than usual.
  • Avoid unnecessary stress and hectic.
  • Cough drops can relieve the cough, but not stop it.
  • Refrain from smoking and avoid smoky rooms

The effectiveness of simple home remedies for acute coughs (e.g. ginger, honey, chicken soup) has not been scientifically proven, but can certainly lead to subjectively felt relief.



Treatment with medication:

As a rule, an acute cough resulting from a common cold or acute bronchitis heals without any medication. Important: This type of cough is caused by viruses. Antibiotics don't help here! These only work with bacterial infections.



When to seek medical advice?


Contact a family doctor in the following cases:

  • You have chest pain. 
  • You have problems breathing.
  • You spit out blood when you cough. 
  • You lose weight for no apparent reason.
  • Your cough lasts longer than three weeks. 
  • Your cough is getting worse.
  • You feel that the sides of your throat are swollen and painful.
  • You have a weakened immune system (e.g. from chemotherapy or diabetes).



Avoid contagion!

  • Wash hands regularly and thoroughly
  • Cough/sneeze in the crook of your arm and not into your hands
    regelmäßig und gründlich Hände waschen