Acute symptoms · Berlin
Acute cough
Acute cough is an acute medical condition that RAB Arztbesuche treats with a licensed physician on a home visit anywhere in Berlin — daily from 6 am to midnight, usually within 60 to 90 minutes.
Persistent, exhausting cough — dry or productive, day and night, with or without fever — disturbs sleep, focus and quality of life. The symptom hides a broad differential diagnosis. Our specialist physicians come daily from 6 am to midnight, auscultate your lungs and classify the picture.
Medically reviewed by Susanne Reiche · Last reviewed
Acute cough in Berlin — the central question: pneumonia or not
Cough is one of the most common reasons we are called in Berlin. Most cases are harmless and viral — post-infectious irritative cough, acute bronchitis, an asthma flare in known disease. The most important question we answer on every house call is: is there pneumonia that needs antibiotic therapy or even hospital admission?
We answer this with three steps: a careful history, structured auscultation and measurement of oxygen saturation and respiratory rate. Where indicated we add a CRP rapid test that delivers quantitative information within minutes and supports the antibiotic decision.
What happens during the house call
We ask about onset, character (dry, productive, bloody), diurnal pattern, triggers (exertion, position, cold), accompanying symptoms (fever, breathlessness, chest pain), comorbidities, smoking and travel. We examine throat, lymph nodes and legs (signs of thrombosis), percuss and auscultate both lung fields systematically, measure temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation. With signs of pneumonia we run a CRP rapid test — values clearly above 50 mg/L raise the probability of bacterial infection. With an asthma-typical picture (wheezing) we administer a short-acting beta-agonist if needed. With suspected pneumonia we prescribe targeted antibiotics and arrange follow-up; with severe disease we organise hospital admission.
When imaging is appropriate
With clinical suspicion of pneumonia, chest X-ray is the gold standard. We issue a referral and name suitable radiology practices in your district. With cough lasting more than eight weeks, further work-up — pulmonology consultation, lung function testing, occasionally CT — is appropriate. We pave the way to the right follow-up care.
How the house call works
On first contact we clarify symptoms, duration, accompanying symptoms and comorbidities. With signs of severe breathlessness or chest pain we direct you to 112 or hospital. Otherwise we dispatch the next available specialist — typically a 60- to 90-minute arrival.
On site we perform the structured pulmonary exam, record an ECG if cardiac signs are present, run rapid tests and discuss findings. We prescribe in a targeted way — antitussives for night-time dry cough, mucolytics for productive cough, antibiotics only with clear indication. You receive written escalation criteria.
Billing and insurance
We bill according to the German private medical fee schedule (GOÄ) via our Privatärztliche Verrechnungsstelle. House call, examination, rapid tests and any administered medication are itemised separately. German private health insurance and Beihilfe schemes typically reimburse these positions in full.
We can issue an English invoice on request and remain reachable by phone for billing questions after the visit.
Emergency? Dial the emergency number
If unconscious, with severe chest pain, breathlessness or heavy bleeding, dial 112 immediately. Our service complements the emergency services — it does not replace them.
Case profiles
Typical scenarios
Acute bronchitis after a cold
A patient in Friedrichshain has barking cough, sputum and mild fever for a week. We auscultate, rule out pneumonia and prescribe symptomatically — antibiotics only with a clear indication.
Suspected pneumonia in an older patient
An 82-year-old in Charlottenburg has been coughing for three days, is tired, breathes faster than usual. We measure, auscultate, run a CRP rapid test and decide between outpatient and inpatient care.
Asthma flare
A patient in Mitte with known asthma has an acute flare with wheezing and tightness. We administer a short-acting beta-agonist and adjust long-term therapy.
Post-infectious cough in a business traveller
A manager in a Mitte hotel has had a dry cough for two weeks and gets no rest at night. We prescribe an antitussive for the night and clarify the expected course.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have pneumonia?
Clinical examination with auscultation, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation answers the question reliably in most cases. Where uncertainty remains we use a CRP rapid test and refer for chest X-ray if needed.
Do I need an antibiotic?
Only with a clear bacterial indication. Most acute bronchitis is viral. Antibiotics are overrated — they do not shorten a viral course but can cause adverse effects.
What helps the dry cough at night?
For dry cough at night, an antitussive can rescue sleep. We discuss the indication and prescribe accordingly.
When does the cough need further work-up?
Cough lasting more than eight weeks, bloody sputum, weight loss or progressive breathlessness are clear indications for pulmonary work-up.
Book now or call
Get in touch — we will arrange a doctor for your house call regarding Acute cough.