What are the first signs of chronic cough?

A chronic cough may start after a respiratory infection and continue after other symptoms fade. It can be dry or bring up phlegm, and may be worse at night, after meals, with exercise, or around smoke and dust.

Common contributors include asthma, acid reflux, allergic rhinitis, smoking or nicotine exposure, and medicines. The cough itself does not show which condition is responsible. A clinician considers its duration, triggers, sound, mucus, breathing symptoms, and medical history.

Book a clinical assessment if the cough is persistent, repeatedly interrupts sleep, limits activity, or follows a suspected trigger. Record when it occurs, whether mucus is present, and any wheeze, heartburn, nasal symptoms, or exposure to smoke.

Assessment may include listening to the chest, breathing tests such as spirometry, or a chest X-ray when appropriate. Do not start antibiotics left over from another illness; they do not treat every cause of cough.

Get urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, chest pain, coughing blood, confusion, or a rapidly worsening cough. Arrange prompt review for unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, night sweats, or repeated chest infections.

Ask what causes fit your pattern, whether spirometry or a chest X-ray is useful, how reflux or allergies could contribute, and which treatments are safe with your current medicines. Mention smoking or vaping exposure and any blood in mucus.