Having a cough often means nothing serious. If you have, follow the suggestions of your provider about how to deal with ongoing symptoms. You’ll probably have other symptoms, too, like feeling very tired, having trouble concentrating or remembering things, and/or having trouble breathing.Ĭontact your healthcare provider about being tested for COVID-19 if you haven’t been diagnosed with it yet. It can also be part of a post-COVID syndrome (or long COVID).Īs part of long COVID, a cough can continue for weeks or months after you’ve been infected.

What should I know about COVID-19 and cough?Ĭough is a symptom of COVID-19. If you frequently have issues with coughing and eating, let your healthcare provider know. This is called aspiration, and it can happen if you’ve got problems with swallowing or other digestive or lung issues. Sometimes what you’re eating or drinking can make it past that protection and actually go into your lungs. If food does go toward the 'wrong pipe' it’ll make you cough, but it’s not usually serious. Our upper airways are set up to stop food or drink from going all the way into our lungs most of the time. If you cough after eating, you might have had something “go down the wrong way,” meaning it went toward your lungs instead of your stomach. What does it mean if I cough after eating? Also, the cold or cough might last longer.Ĭontact your healthcare provider if your illness lasts longer than you expect or if you have trouble eating, sleeping or breathing. This could mean that you get a cough or cold while you’re pregnant. Pregnancy doesn’t usually make you cough, but your immune system does change. If you have lost weight without trying.If you have pain, especially in your face.If you have bad breath that will not go away.If anything comes up when you cough (like phlegm or blood).If the cough keeps you from sleeping well.How well you breathe when you are resting and when you are working hard.If you use or did use tobacco, marijuana, or if you do or have vaped.They might check your oxygen levels, do a spirometry test in the office, or order a chest X-ray or lung function tests if your cough has lasted a long time. As part of the exam, your provider will check your vital signs, like temperature and the number of breaths you take. To diagnose what’s behind your cough, your healthcare provider will take a medical history, give you a physical exam, and may order some tests. Kids get sick often, especially if they’re in daycare or school. Have chronic illnesses, especially those involving the lungs or nervous system.Smoke substances (like tobacco or marijuana).However, some people are more likely to get coughs than others. A cough is the most common symptom reported in healthcare providers' offices. Who is more likely to experience a cough?Īnyone can get a cough. They cough so hard that they gag and sometimes vomit. Types of coughs related to when you cough It can be associated with an infection, like a cold, or chronic conditions, like asthma. This type of cough often happens when you have blocked airways. A cough that sounds like barking can be a sign of croup. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an infection that causes a cough that sounds like a “whoop.” Types of coughs that have distinct sounds and are related to specific conditions A non-productive cough, or a dry cough, doesn’t bring up mucus or phlegm.A productive cough, or a wet cough, is a cough that brings up mucus or phlegm.Refractory cough is a chronic cough that hasn’t responded to treatment.Long-lasting coughs may also be called persistent coughs. Chronic cough lasts longer than eight weeks.Subacute cough is one that stays around after you’ve had an infection and lasts three to eight weeks.Acute cough begins suddenly and lasts for two to three weeks.Types of coughs may be related to how they last

Some of the names for coughs describe how long they last, while other types describe how they feel or sound, and other types are actual conditions. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Persistent nocturnal cough