Monroe County Pulmonologist Explains Cough Types, Remedies and Emergency Signs

Board-certified pulmonologist Marc Csete of Key Medical Group Pulmonology spoke on January 16 to clarify why people cough, which home treatments can help, and when a cough becomes an emergency. His guidance came as multiple respiratory illnesses circulated through Monroe County, affecting residents across the Keys during winter months.

Csete outlined two broad timeframes for coughs. Acute coughs commonly follow a cold, flu, or bronchitis and often improve within days to a few weeks. Chronic coughs last longer and may point to underlying issues such as long COVID, chronic bronchitis, or other lung disease. He also distinguished dry coughs, which are often caused by irritation or viral infections, from wet coughs that bring up mucus and can signal bronchitis, pneumonia, or other infections.

Local impact is direct: parents monitoring school absences, service workers interacting with tourists, and older residents with underlying lung disease all face different risks from persistent coughing. Csete noted that while many coughs are benign and self-limited, they can still spread infection. He urged residents to protect neighbors and high-risk people by practicing simple precautions.

For symptom relief, Csete recommended commonly accessible remedies. Warm tea with honey can soothe a dry throat, saline nasal or throat rinses can clear mucus, and elevating the head while sleeping can reduce nighttime coughing. Staying well hydrated supports mucus clearance, and over-the-counter cough suppressants or expectorants may ease symptoms for short periods. These measures are intended as supportive care; if symptoms worsen or do not improve, medical evaluation is appropriate.

Csete emphasized clear emergency signs that require immediate attention. Seek emergency care if a cough is accompanied by coughing up blood, difficulty breathing, or severe chest tightness. Those symptoms may indicate serious conditions such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, or other acute problems that need urgent treatment.

He also urged practical community steps to limit spread of respiratory illness: stay home when ill, cover coughs, wash hands frequently, and consider masks in crowded indoor settings, particularly around older adults and those with chronic health conditions. Local clinics and emergency departments continued to evaluate patients through standard protocols.

For Monroe County residents, the takeaway is pragmatic: most coughs can be managed at home with rest and simple remedies, but persistent or severe symptoms should prompt prompt medical review. As respiratory viruses move through the Keys this season, vigilance and common-sense precautions will protect individuals and the wider community.