WHAT IS COUGH?

Viral Infection- After a common cold, a dry cough may last several weeks longer than other symptoms and often gets worse at night

Respiratory tract infections such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia etc

Allergies

Exposure to irritants such as dust, fumes, and chemicals in the work environment

Asthma. A chronic dry cough may be a sign of mild asthma

Blockage of the airway by an inhaled object

Smoking

Coughs are often described as wet or dry.

A wet cough is one in which mucus builds up in the chest. If you have a wet cough, you may feel tightness in your chest and you may hear a wheezing sound when breathing. This mucus build up is difficult to get rid of by coughing.

A dry cough produces little or no mucus or sputum. A dry, hacking cough may develop toward the end of a cold or after exposure to an irritant, such as dust or smoke.