I've Had a Cough for Three Months: Should I Be Concerned?

A cough can feel like one of those symptoms you don’t need to sweat. You might chalk it up to allergies or think it’s normal, especially if you’re a smoker.

The issue, though, is that a cough indicates something’s going on with your body. Also, your persistent cough is likely treatable. In other words, seeing a medical professional about it can put a stop to that chronic coughing.

At our SmartClinic Urgent Care clinics in West Covina and Santa Clarita, California, we offer ultra-convenient care, including walk-in visits, for your nagging cough. What’s more, we specialize in treating a variety of causes of coughing, including bronchitis. 

To help you determine when it’s time to come see us, let’s take a look at indicators that your ongoing cough should be a cause for concern. 

What could be causing your cough

That cough that isn’t going away could be due to a number of things, including:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• COVID-19
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Post-nasal drip
• Some high blood pressure medications
• Tobacco use
• Whooping cough (pertussis) 

Determining the cause of your cough means considering any other symptoms that accompany it. If you’re dealing with heartburn alongside your cough, for example, it could be GERD. If you’ve got itchy eyes and a runny nose, it could be allergies.

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Our team at SmartClinic Urgent Care has extensive experience treating stubborn coughs, and that means we’re seasoned in figuring out what’s triggering the cough based on your symptoms.

We can help you determine if your cough is coming from a serious issue, like a lung problem, or a more minor one, like allergies. We also have expertise in diagnosing and treating bronchitis, one of the leading causes of coughs that last three months or more. 

Could it be bronchitis?

When people visit us with a cough that’s persisted for months, bronchitis is often to blame. You might develop this condition, which is marked by inflammation in your airways, after a respiratory infection or a cold. 

Chronic bronchitis can linger for months or even years, causing a cough you just can’t kick. Other symptoms of bronchitis include:

• Fatigue 
• Mucus production
• Fever
• Chills
• Body aches
• Shortness of breath

Our team offers a variety of treatments to soothe your airways, fighting the inflammation and easing your cough. 

Get treatment for that cough — and peace of mind

Even if it isn’t really bothering you, if your cough has lasted for months, it’s a sign that your body is either having trouble getting over an illness or is facing another challenge. It’s not something you should leave unaddressed. 

The good news is that seeking treatment for your persistent cough is easy. Walk into a SmartClinic Urgent Care clinic whenever your schedule allows to see our team. Or, if you’d prefer to schedule your visit ahead of time, you can call us or book a virtual visit online.