What Is a Persistent Cough?

A persistent cough is a cough that lasts for several weeks or keeps coming back. It often feels dry, irritating, and may be accompanied by chest tightness or a sensation of pressure. While short-term coughs are usually caused by viral infections, long-lasting or recurring coughs can point to asthma, allergies, reflux, airway inflammation, or chronic lung conditions.

Types of Cough

A cough can be classified in several ways, depending on how long it lasts, what it sounds like, and what triggers it. Understanding the type of cough you have helps narrow down the possible causes and choose the right treatment. Although many coughs start suddenly due to a cold or irritation, a persistent or unusual cough often requires professional evaluation.

By duration

Acute cough (0–3 weeks):
Usually caused by viral infections such as the common cold, influenza or mild bronchitis. In most cases, the cough improves on its own as the infection clears.

Subacute cough (3–8 weeks):
Often remains after a respiratory infection — this is known as a post-viral cough. Airways stay sensitive for weeks, even after other symptoms disappear.

Chronic cough (8+ weeks):
Always requires a medical assessment. Chronic cough may be linked to asthma, reflux disease, chronic sinus issues, smoking-related airway problems or long-lasting inflammation.

By character

• Dry (non-productive) cough:
  Harsh, irritating, with no mucus. Common in asthma, viral infections, allergies, reflux and after COVID-19.
• Wet (productive) cough:
  Produces mucus or phlegm, often associated with lung infections or chronic airway conditions.
• Nocturnal cough:
  Worsens at night. Often linked with asthma, post-nasal drip, or GERD.
• Cough with wheezing:
  A strong sign of airway narrowing or inflammation and frequently appears in asthma flare-ups.

Understanding which category your cough fits into helps determine whether the cause is mild and temporary — or something that requires medical investigation.

Symptoms That May Accompany a Cough

A cough rarely exists alone. Additional symptoms help reveal what is happening inside the airways:

• Chest tightness, pressure or burning sensation
• Wheezing — whistling sounds when breathing out
• Shortness of breath during physical activity or rest
• Sore throat, hoarseness, tickling in the throat
• Post-nasal drip (mucus running down the back of the throat)
• Fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches
• Difficulty sleeping due to nighttime coughing
• Persistent dryness or irritation in the chest
• Mucus production (clear, white, yellow or green — depending on cause)

If symptoms worsen, last longer than expected or appear suddenly, medical evaluation is recommended.

Common Causes of a Persistent Cough

A long-lasting cough can develop for many reasons. The most common include:

Respiratory infections

Viruses (cold, flu, COVID-19) often start with a dry cough that becomes wet. After the infection clears, airway sensitivity can remain for weeks.

Asthma

A chronic condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow. Symptoms include dry cough, chest tightness, wheezing, nighttime coughing and difficulty breathing.

Allergies & Post-Nasal Drip

Allergens trigger inflammation in the nose and sinuses, causing mucus to drip down the throat and provoke a chronic cough.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Stomach acid irritates the throat and airway lining, leading to a persistent dry cough, especially when lying down.

Chronic lung diseases

Conditions like chronic bronchitis, COPD and bronchiectasis often cause ongoing cough with or without mucus.

Environmental irritants

Tobacco smoke, industrial dust, strong chemicals or polluted air can inflame the airways.

Medication side effects

Some blood pressure medications (especially ACE inhibitors) are known to cause dry, persistent cough.

Less common but serious causes

Including pneumonia, heart failure, pulmonary embolism and lung tumors.

When to See a Doctor

You should schedule a medical appointment if:

• Your cough lasts longer than 3 weeks
• It is getting worse instead of improving
• You have wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath
• You have a history of smoking or chronic lung disease
• You are coughing up yellow, green or bloody mucus
• You have fever that doesn’t go down
• You experience weight loss or night sweats
• The cough interferes with sleep or daily activities

A healthcare professional can determine whether additional tests or treatment are needed.

Emergency Warning Signs

Seek urgent medical help if you experience:

• Severe shortness of breath
• Blue or gray lips or face
• Sudden intense chest pain
• Coughing up large amounts of blood
• A choking episode followed by ongoing coughing
• Extreme weakness, confusion or dizziness

These symptoms may indicate a life-threatening condition.

Diagnosis: How Doctors Evaluate Cough

To understand what causes your cough, a doctor may:

• Review your medical history and symptoms
• Perform a physical exam, listening to your lungs
• Order a chest X-ray or CT scan
• Conduct spirometry or lung function tests
• Recommend allergy testing
• Test for viral or bacterial infections
• Evaluate for GERD if you experience heartburn or regurgitation

Each step helps narrow down the exact cause.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:

For viral infections

Rest, hydration, warm fluids, humidified air and symptomatic relief.

For asthma

Inhalers that open the airways and reduce inflammation, plus a long-term control plan.

For allergies or post-nasal drip

Nasal sprays, antihistamines and trigger avoidance.

For GERD

Diet changes, lifestyle modification and acid-reducing medications.

For chronic lung diseases

Inhaled therapies, pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation.

For medication-related cough

Switching or adjusting the medication under medical supervision.

Self-Care & Home Advice

Helpful measures that may ease the cough:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke
• Use a humidifier in dry rooms
• Keep living spaces free from dust and allergens
• Elevate the head while sleeping
• Avoid heavy meals before bed
• Follow your prescribed medications correctly
• Rest when needed, especially during infections

These habits support recovery but do not replace medical advice if symptoms persist.

FAQ

Is a long-lasting dry cough always serious?

Not always, but it should be evaluated if it lasts over 8 weeks.

Can stress cause coughing?

Stress doesn’t directly cause a cough, but can worsen existing symptoms.

Do I need antibiotics?

Most coughs are not caused by bacteria, so antibiotics usually aren’t needed.

Can I treat chronic cough at home?

If the cough lasts more than a few weeks, home treatment alone is not enough.