What Causes a Lingering Cough? Plus 3 Home Remedies to Try

What Causes It: Viral infections can irritate the nerve endings in your airways, and may lead to other upper respiratory infections.
Treatment: If the flu is diagnosed early, there are some medications available, such as Tamiflu,” says Dr. Taliercio. Here are 11 things you should do at the first sign of the flu.

When to Worry About a Cough That Won’t Go Away

Is that lingering cough simply annoying or the sign of something much worse? Here’s how to tell if it’s time to call the doctor.

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The hacking season

Winter is the prime time to get a nasty cough, when it can seem like everyone around you is hacking. If you’re the one doing the hacking, one of these natural cough remedies might help. Coughs are annoying, and sometimes they’re more than an inconvenience; they may signal a more serious health issue. Find out more about what’s causing your cough, and when you should be worried.

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Your cough can last for a pretty long time

Coughs can linger, depending on the cause. You don’t necessarily need to see a doctor unless you’ve had it for over a month. “A majority of coughs are not dangerous,” says Jason C. Rho, MD, a pulmonologist at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. But if your cough lingers for more than 3 or 4 weeks—sooner if you have a fever—it’s time to see your doctor.

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It’s not just health insurance premiums, but also deductibles, that keep on rising. In 2018, the average deductible was $3,000 for a gold-tier family plan, $8,000 for a silver-tier family plan and $12,000 for a bronze-tier family plan, according to USC Annenberg’s Center for Health Journalism.

There are three major causes behind chronic coughing

When a cough persists for 8 weeks or longer or goes away only to come back, that’s a chronic cough. “Chronic coughs are a huge reason why patients go to see their primary care doctor. And, says Dr. Rho, “80 to 90 percent of chronic coughs are almost always due to three things:”

1. Asthma (cough-variant asthma)
2. Postnasal drip (upper airway cough syndrome)
3. GERD/acid reflux

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How to know if you have cough-variant asthma

What It Is: “Asthma occurs when something triggers the airways to get inflamed,” says Dr. Rho. “It is usually a dry cough that causes your airways to narrow. Symptoms can include a recurrent cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath.”

What Causes It: There are two causes of asthma: Allergies or a non-allergic response to stress, exercise, or illness.

Treatment: If you suspect that you have asthma, you may need to undergo breathing tests; your doctor may suggest you try out an inhaler.

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You may have postnasal drip

What It Is: This is also known as upper airway cough syndrome. “It feels like exactly how it sounds—something may be dripping down from your nasal passage into the throat, constantly irritating your epiglottis and vocal cords and causing a cough,” says Dr. Rho. It may be a more wet cough, as your body is producing more mucus.

What Causes It: “It can be caused by a virus, bacterial sinusitis, or a number of allergies, including seasonal allergies like hay fever, that cause watery, itchy eyes, and a runny nose,” says Dr. Rho. These are the top reasons you can’t stop sneezing.

Treatment: There are a number of treatments for postnasal drip. “You can use a number of treatments, including nasal irrigation, saline rinses, or a Neti pot. There are many OTC nasal sprays, antihistamines (like Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Allegra). You could also use a nasal steroid like Flonase, says Dr. Rho.

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You may have GERD

What It Is: It stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease; it’s basically persistent heartburn. “The stomach’s acid secretions can back up from your stomach into the esophagus, mouth, and epiglottis, and that triggers a cough,” says Dr. Rho. You may taste something sour in the back of your mouth or burning regurgitation.

What Causes It: Spicy or fried foods, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, foods high in citrus, like some fruits and tomatoes. “You may also notice it if you lay down immediately after eating,” says Dr. Rho. “There’s another type called silent reflux, in which you reflux all the time regardless of eating.” Obesity, smoking, alcohol, large meals and a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (the valve that separates your stomach from your esophagus) along with older age can also contribute to GERD.

Treatment: Modify your diet by minimizing the foods that trigger symptoms, says Dr. Rho, and eat at least three hours before bedtime. OTC heartburn medications or prescription medications may also help. These are the foods people with GERD should avoid.

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You may have the flu

What It Is: “Influenza (flu) is a virus that can cause a cough. With the flu, you may also experience systemic symptoms like intense body aches, fever, and fatigue,” says Rachel Taliercio, DO, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic. It will be a persistent cough.

What Causes It: Viral infections can irritate the nerve endings in your airways, and may lead to other upper respiratory infections.
Treatment: If the flu is diagnosed early, there are some medications available, such as Tamiflu,” says Dr. Taliercio. Here are 11 things you should do at the first sign of the flu.

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You may have chronic bronchitis

What It Is: “Chronic bronchitis will sound like a wet productive cough,” says Dr. Taliercio.

What Causes It: “People that smoke or have a history of smoking are the most likely to have chronic bronchitis,” says Dr. Taliercio. It could also be caused by other air pollutants or dust.

Treatment: Your doctor may prescribe a bronchodilator medication or steroid, which work to relax and open your airways.

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You may have pneumonia

What It Is: “Pneumonia is usually a wet cough with lots of mucus, and may cause breathlessness,” says Dr. Taliercio, and also may begin as an upper respiratory infection. Watch for these warning signs your upper respiratory infection is pneumonia.

What Causes It: Pneumonia is caused by an infection in the lungs that leads to the buildup of fluids in the chest, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Treatment: Your doctor can diagnose pneumonia with a chest x-ray. Bacterial pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics, and in severe cases may require intravenous antibiotics,” says Dr. Taliercio.

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You may have lung cancer

What It Is: “Lung cancer usually causes a chronic, persistent cough that may result in breathlessness. Patients may also cough up blood, which is never a normal sign and should always be met with medical care,” says Dr. Taliercio.

What Causes It: The main cause of lung cancer is smoking, says Dr. Taliercio. It may also be caused by exposure to radon, asbestos, or other pollutants, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Treatment: “Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer mortality because symptoms usually occur too late to get curative treatment,” says Dr. Taliercio. However, treatment may include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. This man’s nagging cough turned out to be lung disease and this man’s lingering cough was a symptom of lung cancer.

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Your medication may be the cause

What It Is: Certain medications, including common ones to treat high blood pressure, could be causing your cough. “These medications are called ACE inhibitors,” says Dr. Taliercio; they can trigger a dry cough similar to asthma.

What Causes It: This side effect occurs in about 10 percent of patients taking ACE inhibitors. “It has to do with the way the medication works by blocking certain receptors,” says Dr. Taliercio.

Treatment: “As soon as you stop taking the medication, the cough should go away,” says Dr. Taliercio. Don’t miss these bizarre side effects caused by common medications.

What Causes a Lingering Cough? Plus 3 Home Remedies to Try

A lingering cough can result from many conditions, including bronchitis or chronic allergies. Some medications and natural remedies, such as drinking tea with honey, may help.

When you’re sick or your lungs have become irritated, your body reacts by coughing. This is your body’s defense mechanism to clear out any mucus, allergens, or pollutants so that you don’t keep breathing them in.

Read on to learn about why a cough can linger and what you can do to feel better.

Coughing is usually nothing to be concerned about. When a cough is a cold symptom, it tends to clear up on its own within 3 weeks .

A lingering or chronic cough not brought on by a recent cold can indicate a more serious condition. Coughs that last longer than 8 weeks for adults or 2 weeks for children are considered chronic.

The duration of a cough can vary significantly, but longer coughs may be more common than you realize.

A cough can clear up in as few as 2 or 3 days, but one study found that the median duration of a cough caused by an illness is about 9 to 11 days .

Conditions such as chronic lung disease or asthma can increase the average duration of a cough symptom. A cough can be the last symptom to resolve when you’re recovering from a cold or flu.

Certain types of coughs can last longer than the coughing you may experience with the common cold. Here are a few possible causes of a lingering cough.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a type of infection that causes the airways of the lungs, known as the bronchi, to become irritated and inflamed.

This can cause a hacking cough, which may also bring up clear, green, or yellow-gray mucus. It can also cause symptoms similar to a common cold, including a sore throat, runny nose, or headache.

Risk factors, such as smoking and exposure to fumes, chemicals, or pollutants, can make you more likely to develop chronic bronchitis, which can lead to a chronic cough.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria.

Coughing is a common symptom of pneumonia and may be dry or produce green, yellow, or bloody mucus. Other possible symptoms include fever, sweating, and shortness of breath.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways, causing them to become swollen and inflamed. It also makes the lungs more likely to be affected by irritants or allergens, which can lead to coughing.

In some cases, a chronic cough may be the only symptom of asthma. This is known as cough variant asthma. It usually requires taking prescription asthma medications, such as an inhaler, to experience relief from the cough.

Allergies

Allergies can cause the airways to become irritated, resulting in a chronic dry cough.

Allergy-related coughing may be worse in certain seasons or environments. It may also accompany other symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and itchy skin.

Acid reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, occurs when the stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, leading to heartburn, nausea, and difficulty swallowing.

This condition can also create a prolonged irritation in your throat, resulting in an ongoing cough.

Certain medications

Certain types of medications, including blood pressure drugs, can carry a side effect of persistent coughing.

Smoking

Smoking can irritate the throat, resulting in a chronic cough. It can also worsen or prolong symptoms of many issues that cause coughing, including asthma and respiratory infections.

Additionally, exposure to secondhand smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that blocks airflow and can cause difficulty breathing. Smoking, exposure to air pollutants, and genetic factors are thought to be involved in its development.

Frequent coughing is one of the most common symptoms of COPD, along with wheezing, excess mucus production, and shortness of breath.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer can cause coughing that doesn’t go away or gets worse over time. Some people may also experience chest pain, wheezing, shortness of breath, or unintentional weight loss, while others may not notice any symptoms until the cancer is advanced.

If your only symptom is a lingering cough and you feel otherwise healthy, keep an eye on how long it lasts. Any cough that lasts longer than 8 weeks is a reason to contact a doctor or healthcare professional.

Schedule an appointment with a doctor if you have additional symptoms such as:

• bloody mucus when you cough
• shortness of breath
• weight loss
• excessive mucus
• fever

You may need prescription treatment or diagnostic testing to determine your symptoms’ cause.

In children and babies

If your child has a lingering cough, pay careful attention to the sound of the cough. Any whistling, barking, or wheezing with a cough means you need to take your child to a pediatrician right away.

If there are no other symptoms besides coughing, contact a doctor if the cough lasts longer than 2 to 3 weeks.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a serious infection that can be life threatening, especially for infants.

Look for medical attention right away for severe bouts of coughing that come along with a fever or shortness of breath in any child. Infants younger than 1 should see a pediatrician if they have a cough to rule out pertussis or other serious lung conditions.

A chronic cough can bring complications that lead to other health conditions. Coughing fits can:

• wake you up from sleeping
• leave you breathless
• cause nausea or dizziness
• cause vomiting
• cause you to lose control of your bladder
• interfere with daily activities such as talking, singing, or exercising

Coughing can even lead to passing out if your cough is severe and ongoing.

If you’re experiencing a cough that won’t go away, consider treating it using one or more of these research-backed home remedies. However, these shouldn’t replace any treatments or medications a doctor recommends.

Peppermint tea with honey

Peppermint tea has been studied for its relaxing effect on various body systems. It may help calm your respiratory system and bring relief from persistent coughing.

It can also be combined with honey, which has also been shown to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Thyme and ivy leaf

An herbal preparation of thyme and ivy leaf was found in one study to decrease cough severity and improve health-related quality of life.

Essential oils of thyme and ivy leaf can be inhaled through a diffuser at home. They can also be purchased as a tincture of thyme and ivy leaf at a local health food store.

Bromelain

Bromelain is found in pineapple and is often obtained from the stem rather than the fruit of the pineapple.

In some animal studies , this ingredient has been shown to help with allergic irritation to the airways. Taking it as a supplement may help with a cough due to allergies.

Read on for answers to more questions about a lingering cough.

What does a lingering cough indicate?

A cough that lasts longer than 8 weeks may be a symptom of several conditions, including asthma, allergies, acid reflux, or some respiratory conditions. It could also be caused by smoking or the use of certain medications.

When should I be concerned about a lingering cough?

If you experience a persistent cough that lasts longer than 8 weeks, it may be best to talk with a doctor to determine the cause and best course of treatment. You should also get medical attention if you notice other symptoms such as bloody mucus, shortness of breath, fever, or unintentional weight loss.

How do I get rid of a cough that won’t go away?

Getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated is typically recommended to help ease coughing. You can also try natural remedies, such as peppermint tea with honey, or talk with a healthcare professional about OTC or prescription treatment options.

A cough that won’t go away can be uncomfortable, but it can usually be treated at home. Coughing that lasts 8 weeks or more is considered chronic. You may require prescription treatment or further evaluation.

Some symptoms, such as bloody mucus, wheezing, or shortness of breath, need to be addressed by a doctor. Always get medical care for symptoms that are interrupting your sleep or interfering with your daily activities.

Last medically reviewed on October 27, 2022