RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsCough
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- A new cough can take 3 to 4 weeks to settle. Arrange GP review if it lasts more than 3 weeks or is not improving.
- Get urgent advice today for a cough that is getting worse quickly, new breathlessness, chest pain, a fever with worsening illness, or poor drinking.
- Get urgent advice for any blood in the phlegm. More than a few streaks, or blood with breathlessness or chest pain, needs emergency help.
- Arrange GP review sooner for unexplained weight loss, night sweats or repeated chest infections.
- For mild symptoms without any of the urgent or emergency warning signs listed here, a community pharmacist can advise on self-care and suitable medicines. Tell them the patient’s age, other medicines and any pregnancy or breastfeeding. They can direct you to another service if needed.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Severe breathing difficulty, being unable to speak normally, or becoming exhausted with breathing.
- Coughing up more than a few spots or streaks of blood, or coughing blood with chest pain or breathlessness.
- Sudden choking with inability to breathe or speak.
- A high-pitched breathing noise with obvious breathing difficulty.
- Severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to speak normally.
- New confusion or not making sense when speaking.
- Being very difficult to wake.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Blue, grey, unusually pale or blotchy skin or lips, especially when feeling very unwell.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Coughhttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/cough/
- NHS - How pharmacies can helphttps://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/
- NICE NG120 - Acute coughhttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng120/chapter/Recommendations
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/