Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:00 AM

(HealthDay News) -- An over-the-counter cough medicine may offer some relief for a simple cough or cold, but cough medicine probably won't alleviate symptoms of more serious conditions.

Here are warning signs that your cough requires a call to your doctor, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

A "productive cough," characterized by coughing up phlegm or mucus.A wheezing sound when you cough or breathe.A persistent cough caused by smoking, chronic bronchitis or emphysema.A cough that has lasted for longer than a week.A cough accompanied by a fever, rash, or persistent headache.