What to know about a cough

MD Live, which provides telehealth options for FEH Insurance members, is sharing some great info about coughs. If you have a cough this cold and flu season, check out this helpful guide.

3 things you might have wrong about your cough.
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1. The length of my cough isn't that important. One of the most common misconceptions is that the sound of a cough is the only thing that matters. However, contrary to popular belief, the duration of a cough is often more important in determining the severity of the underlying condition. There are three different types of coughs based on duration:

1. Acute cough: Typically lasts less than 3 weeks. These are often associated with short-lived illnesses.
2. Subacute cough: Typically lasts 3-8 weeks. They sometimes hint at an unresolved infection or post-viral syndrome.
3. Chronic cough: Lasts more than 8 weeks in adults or 4 weeks in children. Chronic coughs can indicate an underlying issue, like asthma or allergies.

2. A scary-sounding cough? Must be serious! Sometimes, a cough can sound scary. But don't judge a book by its cover. A loud cough doesn't always mean something terrible or indicate a severe underlying condition. While a cough can be a vital symptom in determining the underlying issue, it should always be evaluated in conjunction with other symptoms.

3. I haven't coughed; I must be fine! It's easy to think that if you're not coughing, you're not sick. But that's not always true. Some common adult and adolescent illnesses, like strep throat, mononucleosis, roseola, or hand, foot, and mouth disease, don't usually come with a cough. Remember, diseases can show up in different ways – and sometimes, coughs develop later.

Cough 101

MD Live telehealth