Chronic Persistent Cough
Medically Reviewed & Fact-CheckedBy MD, Emergency Medicine & Internal Medicine
Reviewed: 9/6/2026Overview
A cough that persists for 8 weeks or longer in adults (4 weeks in children). A defensive reflex triggered by irritation of cough receptors in the larynx, tracheobronchial tree, and pharynx.
Possible Causes
- Upper Airway Cough Syndrome (Post-Nasal Drip)
- Asthma (including Cough-Variant Asthma)
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Chronic Bronchitis / COPD
- ACE-Inhibitor induced cough
- Bronchiectasis or underlying pulmonary tuberculosis
When to Seek Care
Seek prompt medical assessment if your cough produces blood, produces foul-smelling sputum, causes sleep disruption, or is accompanied by night sweats and fever.
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