Coughing, sneezing, runny nose or congestion, fever? At what point do you need to go see the doctor? This varies dependent on your age, state of health, and how sick you feel.
Usually, you can call your doctor’s office for guidance on when you need to come in.  If you have an HMO, there may be a nurse line you can call for advice.  If you’re lucky, you might get what you need just from this phone call and may not need to come in for an appointment at all. If you are elderly, have a chronic respiratory medical condition, or other major medical conditions, it may be wise to come in and see the doctor sooner rather than waiting for weeks.
At the visit, other than letting the doctor know your symptoms, duration, and severity, tell the doctor if you have other medical issues, if you smoke, if you take medications or what you have been taking, and if you are pregnant. These factors may affect what the doctor does or what they prescribe. These visits are usually quick. It would be a good idea to also get a quick refill on your asthma medications or cough medicine at this time.
Finally, don’t forget to ask the doctor about a follow up appointment.  If you are not sure, ask the doctor what symptoms you need to look out for and when to return for another visit.

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