Cough Summary Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Although it can be annoying, coughing helps your body heal or protect itself. Coughs can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last no more than 2 to 3 weeks. Acute coughs are the kind you most often get with a cold, flu, or acute bronchitis. Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks. Causes of chronic cough include Chronic bronchitis Asthma Allergies COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) Smoking Throat disorders, such as croup in young children Some medicines Water can help ease your cough – whether you drink it or add it to the air with a steamy shower or vaporizer. If you have a cold or the flu, antihistamines may work better than non-prescription cough medicines. Children under four should not have cough medicine. For children over four, use caution and read labels carefully. Find an Expert American Lung Association American Lung Association National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Encyclopedia Chest x-ray Sputum gram stain Specifics Chronic Cough Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Chronic Cough in Adults (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Coughing up Blood Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Health Check Tools Cough American Academy of Family Physicians Cough DSHI Systems Array Cough Coughing up blood Start Here Cough Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research What Causes Cough? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What Is Cough? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Related Issues Cough Headaches Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Children Cough in Children American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology MedlinePlus: Croup National Library of Medicine Your Child’s Cough Nemours Foundation Prevention and Risk Factors Cover Your Cough Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Who Is At Risk for Cough? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Treatments and Therapies First Aid: Coughing Nemours Foundation Honey: An Effective Cough Remedy? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research How Is Cough Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Diagnosis and Tests How Is the Cause of Cough Diagnosed? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What Is a Chest X Ray? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Living With Living with Cough National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Journal Articles Cough
