Cough synonyms and related terms

A dry cough produces little or no mucus. A chesty or productive cough brings up mucus. Hacking can mean repeated, forceful coughing, while tickly or itchy often describes an irritating feeling in the throat. A barking, wheezing or whooping sound gives additional information, but sound alone cannot diagnose a condition.

Cough can occur with a [Common Cold](/conditions/common-cold/), [Acute Bronchitis](/conditions/acute-bronchitis/), [Allergic Rhinitis](/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/), [Asthma](/conditions/asthma/), [Acid Reflux](/conditions/acid-reflux/) or [Chronic Cough](/conditions/chronic-cough/). Less common lung conditions, including [Bronchiectasis](/conditions/bronchiectasis/) or [Bronchiolitis](/conditions/bronchiolitis/), may have their own patterns and need clinical context.

Tell a clinician whether the cough is dry or brings up mucus, when it began, whether it is worse at night or with exercise, and whether you notice wheeze, fever, breathlessness, reflux or nasal symptoms. Note smoke, dust, perfume and seasonal exposures. Drink fluids if you can do so safely, avoid smoke, and use medicines only as directed; a cough suppressant is not suitable for every cough.

Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, chest pain, coughing blood, confusion or sudden worsening. Arrange medical review for a cough that persists, repeatedly disrupts sleep, follows a choking episode, or comes with fever, unexplained weight loss or recurrent chest infections. Children, older adults and people with lung or heart disease may need earlier advice.

Which description best fits my cough? Could my medicines, reflux, allergies or asthma be involved? Do I need an examination or breathing test? What changes should prompt an urgent call?