Respiratory and allergies
Sore throat & cough
For a lasting sore throat, cough or phlegm
with a medical interpreter
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
OK to consult together
payment information
About
About Sore throat & cough
We treat sore throats, lingering coughs and phlegm, and help you decide whether conditions such as tonsillitis need a visit to the doctor.
Why it happens
Most sore throats and coughs are caused by viruses or bacteria infecting and inflaming the lining of the throat (pharynx and tonsils). Irritants such as dry air, air pollution and cigarette smoke, mucus dripping down the back of the throat (postnasal drip) and acid reflux can also be causes. Coughing is the body's way of clearing foreign matter and secretions from the airways.
What's happening in the body
A sore throat means the lining of the throat is inflamed. When the lining is damaged by a viral or bacterial infection, dry air or irritants in the air, the body increases blood flow and sends in immune cells. The lining becomes red and swollen, and swallowing irritates it and causes pain. Coughing is a protective reflex to clear foreign matter and secretions from the airways. When sensors in the airway lining are irritated, the signal travels to the brain and triggers a forceful breath out. Even after an infection clears, the airways may stay oversensitive for a while, which is thought to be one reason why a cough can linger after a cold has gone.
Main symptoms
- Sore throat, pain when swallowing
- Cough (dry or with phlegm)
- More phlegm, or colored phlegm
- Hoarse voice
- Scratchy or irritated throat
- Fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Coughing fits at night or early in the morning
When you can wait and see
What you can do yourself
- Drink fluids often to keep your throat moist
- Humidify the room and avoid air conditioning blowing directly on you
- Avoid irritants (strong spices, alcohol, smoking)
- Don't overuse your voice (even whispering can strain it)
- Wear a mask to reduce dryness and irritation in your throat
Please consult us
If any of the following apply
- Your sore throat makes it hard to swallow
- A cough or phlegm won't go away
- Your voice is hoarse
Seek care right away
If any of the following apply
- Difficulty breathing, unable to swallow saliva, or difficulty opening the mouth
- Severe swelling of the neck, or swelling so bad you can't speak
- Ongoing phlegm with blood in it
- A long-lasting cough with weight loss or night sweats
- Sudden difficulty breathing with swelling of the face or lips
Don't wait for a Cotovia consultation; call the emergency number in your country.
See the emergency guide for each countryIf you're not sure, ask us on LINE
Differential
Telling it apart from similar conditions
Symptoms that look the same may need different care depending on the cause. Use this as a guide to find what's closest to your situation.
Viral throat infection
Comes with a runny nose, sneezing and mild fever. The sore throat is moderate at most
Most get better on their own. Treatment mainly relieves symptoms
Bacterial throat infection
A very sore throat with little runny nose or cough, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and high fever
After testing, we assess whether antibiotics are needed
Asthma and cough-variant asthma
A cough that gets worse at night or early in the morning, with wheezing or whistling sounds
You can discuss options such as inhalers
Allergy-related
Worse in certain places or at certain times, with sneezing and itchy eyes
We identify the cause and consider anti-allergy medication
Reflux-related
Worse after meals or when lying down, with heartburn and throat discomfort
We review lifestyle habits and consider treatment as needed
Tuberculosis and similar conditions
A cough lasting 2 weeks or more, weight loss, night sweats, blood in phlegm
Early care and testing are needed
* This is not a complete list. If you're not sure, please consult us.
When it might be something else
Course
Typical course
This is the general course. Actual progress varies from person to person.
- Days 1–3
Throat discomfort turns into pain, felt most when swallowing
Drink fluids often. Humidify the air and avoid air conditioning blowing directly on you
- Days 4–7
The sore throat eases, while cough and phlegm become more noticeable
Please consult us if a fever continues or things get worse at this stage
- 1–2 weeks
Most people are better. A cough may linger
A lingering cough isn't unusual, but it needs to be assessed if it gets worse
- 3 weeks or more
If the cough continues, causes other than infection are considered
We assess the possibility of asthma, allergies, reflux, tuberculosis and other causes
Local Insight
For people living in Southeast Asia
The climate, healthcare and access to medication differ from Japan. Here are points specific to this region.
When haze from land burning in Indonesia and elsewhere spreads, more people report throat irritation and coughing, especially in Singapore and Malaysia. Checking the air quality index (PSI/AQI) and limiting outdoor activity on high days can help.
Spending long hours in strongly air-conditioned rooms dries the air, which can make a sore throat or cough last longer. Adjusting the airflow direction while you sleep and humidifying the room may help.
The large temperature gap between outdoor heat and indoor air conditioning makes it easy to fall ill.
In some countries, antibiotics are easy to get at pharmacies, but most sore throats are caused by viruses, so it's best not to take antibiotics on your own.
Care
What Cotovia can do
- Consultation and tests as needed (testing is at the doctor's discretion)
- Prescriptions for painkillers, cough suppressants and expectorants (prescribing is at the doctor's discretion)
- Referral to in-person care if symptoms are severe
Tests you may have
Not knowing what will happen can make people hesitate to seek care, so here's what actually takes place.
Consultation and examination
Checking the throat, breathing sounds and lymph nodes
Rapid test
Identifying strep throat, flu and similar infections
Chest imaging
Assessing the lungs when a cough lingers
Lung function test
Assessing the airways when asthma is suspected
Treatment options
Symptom relief
Eases sore throat and cough
Gargles, lozenges, cough suppressants and so on are considered according to your symptoms
Antibiotics
Used when a bacterial infection is suspected
They don't work against viruses. Whether they're needed is decided by tests and examination
Inhalers
Reduce inflammation in the airways
An option when asthma or cough-variant asthma is suspected. Prescribing is at the doctor's discretion
Anti-allergy medication
Eases allergy symptoms
Some types cause drowsiness, so let us know if you plan to drive
* Tests, procedures and prescriptions are decided by the doctor after a consultation. Services may vary by country and location.
Preparation
Before your visit
When seeing a doctor abroad, simply organizing what you need to say makes a big difference.
What to bring
- Passport or residence card
- Insurance card and your insurer's contact details
- Your medication record and the medication you take
- Details of any inhaler you used in Japan
What to tell us
- How long the cough has lasted (in weeks)
- Times and places where the cough gets worse
- Whether there's phlegm, its color and whether there's blood in it
- Whether you smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke
- Air conditioning and mold at work and at home
Self Care
What you can do yourself
Along with seeing a doctor, here are things to keep in mind in daily life.
Prevention
- Basic infection prevention such as handwashing and gargling
- Protect against dryness in air-conditioned rooms
- Limit outdoor activity on days with heavy air pollution (haze)
- Don't smoke and avoid secondhand smoke
How to Consult
How to be seen
Choose from 3 ways to be seen, depending on your symptoms and schedule. If you're not sure, we'll guide you on LINE.
Online consultations
See a doctor by video call from home or the office. Medication delivered or from a pharmacy.
Available for this symptom
In-person care
In-person consultations at our clinics and partner hospitals, including tests and procedures.
Available for this symptom
Cotovia Counter
Support with an interpreter for visits to general hospitals.
Available for this symptom
If an online consultation finds that tests or procedures are needed, we'll guide you to in-person care or Cotovia Counter.
From consultation to receiving medication
Add us on LINE and consult
Tell us your symptoms, and we'll recommend the right way to be seen.
Book and be seen
See a doctor online or at the nearest location, with an interpreter present.
Receive your medication
Have it delivered or pick it up at a pharmacy or the clinic (varies by country).
Follow-up
You can also consult us on LINE about how you're doing afterward.
Special Care
People who need extra care
Children
Seek care urgently for a barking cough, wheezing when breathing in, or rapid breathing
Pregnant women
Some medications can't be used. Be sure to tell us if you could be pregnant
People with asthma
Always carry your reliever inhaler, and consider emergency services if breathlessness doesn't improve after using it
People with a cough lasting 2 weeks or more
An assessment that includes the possibility of tuberculosis and similar conditions is needed. Please don't ignore it and consult us
FAQ
FAQ
Common questions before a visit, and common assumptions that lead people to judge for themselves.
QMy cough has lasted more than 3 weeks. Should I be worried?
A lingering cough can have many causes, such as a post-infection cough, cough-variant asthma, allergies or acid reflux. Treatment depends on the cause, so please consult us.
QShould I wear a mask during the haze season?
When air quality worsens, reducing outdoor activity and wearing a mask that filters fine particles may be recommended. People with conditions such as asthma need to be especially careful.
QCan I consult online?
Yes, you can start with an online consultation. If the doctor decides the back of your throat needs to be checked or tests are needed, we'll guide you to in-person care.
Common misconceptions
Myth Coughing means your body is weak
Fact Coughing is a protective reflex that clears the airways. Stopping it completely isn't always a good idea
Myth My throat hurts, so I need antibiotics
Fact Most sore throats are caused by viruses, and antibiotics don't work on them
Myth Cough medicine makes it heal faster
Fact Forcing a productive cough to stop can actually slow recovery
Myth A cough after a cold will go away if you leave it
Fact If it lasts 3 weeks or more, asthma or another cause may be behind it
Myth Air conditioning has nothing to do with it
Fact Dry, cold air weakens the defenses of the mucous membranes, and the temperature gap with outdoors also irritates the airways
Feel free to ask us on LINE first
It's fine to contact us even if you're not sure you need to see a doctor. We're available in Japanese 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Symptoms
- When it started
- Your country of residence
- How you'd like to be seen
Sending these 4 things helps us respond faster. It's fine if you don't have them all.
Ask us on LINE