Cough and Bronchitis Treatment
Urgent care for coughs · Palm Beach County
A cough that keeps you up at night or a chest cold that drags on for weeks is worth getting checked. Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches treats coughs and bronchitis at our West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Palm Springs clinics, seven days a week, with no appointment needed. We figure out what is behind the cough and treat it the same visit.
Why it matters
Most coughs are harmless and clear on their own, but a few point to something that needs treatment, and the difference is not always obvious from home. A quick exam tells you which kind you have.
The usual culprits are a cold or virus, acute bronchitis, post-nasal drip from allergies or a sinus infection, or a flare of asthma. A cough can also be the first sign of pneumonia, which is why a lingering or worsening cough with fever deserves a closer look. Whether the cough is dry or bringing up mucus, and how long it has lasted, both help your provider narrow it down.
Chest cold and bronchitis
How we diagnose and treat it
Your provider listens to your lungs, checks your oxygen, and runs rapid flu, COVID, or strep tests when they fit. If a deeper infection is possible, we take a chest X-ray on site. Treatment depends on the cause. Acute bronchitis is usually viral and gets better with cough relief, fluids, and rest rather than antibiotics, while a bacterial infection does call for antibiotics. If asthma or allergies are driving the cough, we treat that directly with an inhaler or allergy medication.
Your visit
What to expect at your visit
Walk in to any of our three locations and you are usually seen within about ten minutes. Testing, treatment, and any prescription happen in one stop, and we send prescriptions straight to your pharmacy. We accept most major insurance and offer fair cash pricing, and a telemedicine visit can work for a simple cough.
Straight talk
Urgent care, the ER, or your doctor?
A routine cough is a good fit for urgent care, which is faster and less costly than an emergency room.
Come in rather than wait it out if the cough is severe, comes with a high fever, or has lasted more than two to three weeks. Go to the ER for the warning signs below.
Cough relief at home
What you can do at home
Warm fluids, honey for adults and older children, a humidifier, and staying hydrated all soothe a cough. Rest gives your body the room to recover, and avoiding smoke keeps the airways from getting more irritated.
Emergency warning signs
When a cough needs the ER
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe trouble breathing, chest pain, blue lips, or you are coughing up blood. These need emergency care right away.
FAQ
Cough and bronchitis questions, answered
How long should a cough last?
A cough from a cold often lingers for one to three weeks. If yours lasts longer, comes with a fever or chest pain, or is getting worse instead of better, come in and get it checked.
Do I need antibiotics for bronchitis?
Usually not. Acute bronchitis is almost always viral, so antibiotics do not help and can cause side effects. We prescribe them only when the signs point to a bacterial infection.
Is bronchitis contagious?
The viruses that cause acute bronchitis can spread, so wash your hands, cover your cough, and stay home while you have a fever.
Can urgent care tell if I have pneumonia?
Yes. We take a chest X-ray on site, which is how we tell a chest cold apart from pneumonia during your visit.
Related services
Related services
Affordable Care When You Need It Most
Walk-ins Welcome | Cash Accepted | Quick Service & Great Reviews
North Palm Beach / Palm Beach Gardens Clinic Location
11951 US Highway 1 Suite 108,
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
West Palm Beach / Palm Beach Clinic Location
5818 South Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
Palm Springs / Forest Hill Blvd Clinic Location
3537 Forest Hill Boulevard,
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
