Curing Your Cough: When to Seek Care in Central Indiana

Living in Central Indiana brings its own set of health challenges, from unpredictable weather to high pollen counts during allergy seasons.

A persistent cough can be more than just an annoyance—it may signal anything from seasonal allergies to a serious respiratory condition.

Understanding the type of cough you have and knowing when to seek care can make all the difference in your overall health.

How Long Have You Been Coughing?

The duration of your cough can help determine its severity:

• A few days to a week: Likely due to a cold or mild allergies and may resolve on its own.
• More than two weeks: Could indicate a secondary infection like bronchitis or a more serious condition.
• Eight weeks or longer: A chronic cough that requires medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause.

Types of Coughs and Common Causes

• Wet Cough: Indiana’s cold and flu season, typically peaking in winter, often leads to lingering wet coughs. This type of cough produces mucus and is your body’s way of clearing irritants or infections.
• Dry Cough: A tickling, non-productive cough often linked to allergies, asthma, acid reflux, or irritants like smoke. Indiana’s long pollen seasons, especially from trees like oak and maple, are a major trigger for dry coughs.
• Whooping Cough: A rare but serious bacterial infection characterized by a “whooping” sound after coughing fits. It’s especially dangerous for infants and unvaccinated individuals.
• Chronic Cough: Lasting 8+ weeks, this type of cough often stems from conditions like asthma, COPD, or postnasal drip. Chronic lower respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of death in Indiana, highlighting the importance of addressing persistent symptoms.

Symptoms That Require Medical Attention

Your cough rarely acts alone. Seek medical care if it’s accompanied by:

• Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing or feeling like you can’t get enough air.
• Fever: Persistent or high fever, which may indicate a significant infection.
• Chest Pain: Pain or tightness when coughing or breathing.
• Wheezing: A whistling sound when breathing, often linked to asthma or airway obstructions.
• Fatigue: Extreme tiredness that interferes with daily activities.
• Coughing up Blood: Any amount of blood in your phlegm warrants immediate medical attention.

While many coughs resolve on their own, certain situations require professional medical advice. You should see a doctor if your cough lasts longer than two weeks, disrupts your sleep or if you have underlying health conditions like asthma, heart disease, or a weakened immune system.

Why Choose Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care?

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care is the only health system in Hamilton County offering ER and urgent care services under one roof. Unlike most ER or urgent care centers, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The urgent care center is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. No appointments are necessary for in-person visits; however, pre-registration is available.

Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care has four convenient locations:

• Riverview Health Westfield Hospital is located at 17600 Shamrock Blvd, Westfield, IN 46074, and may be reached at 317.214.5555.
• Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care Carmel is located at 14585 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Carmel, IN 46033, and may be reached at 317.406.4280.
• Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care Fishers is located at 9690 E. 116th St., Fishers, IN 46037, and may be reached at 317.406.4585.
• Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care West Carmel/Zionsville is located at 10830 N. Michigan Rd., Zionsville, IN 46077, and may be reached at 317.406.4713.