Persistent Cough: Causes & Reasons

Warning: Do not use in emergencies, if pregnant, if under 18, or as a substitute for a doctor’s advice or diagnosis. Learn more

Possible Causes for Persistent Cough

Bronchitis

PBB causes persistent coughing and disturbed sleep, and affects exercise tolerance, causing significant levels of morbidity. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Condition characterized by persistent coughing, increased secretion from the bronchial mucosa, obstruction of the respiratory passages, scanty or profuse expectoration, and [icd9data.com]

Acute Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is one of the most common reasons for a persistent cough. [health.com]

The result is the production of mucus in the lungs and a persistent cough that may last several days or weeks. [nativeremedies.com]

If you have persistent bouts of coughing, your doctor can perform tests to confirm a diagnosis. [health.com]

Bronchial Asthma

cough Trouble breathing that requires breathing assistance (ventilator) Call for an appointment with your provider if asthma symptoms develop. [nlm.nih.gov]

[…] may include: Death Decreased ability to exercise and take part in other activities Lack of sleep due to nighttime symptoms Permanent changes in the function of the lungs Persistent [nlm.nih.gov]

Chronic Sinusitis

cough Fatigue To consult a Virginia ENT doctor about sinusitis, schedule an appointment online today. [virginia-ent.com]

Bacterial sinusitis is suspected when purulent rhinorrhea persists for 10 days along with fatigue and cough. Fever is uncommon. [msdmanuals.com]

Chronic cough that is described as worse at night or on awakening in the morning is also a commonly described symptom of chronic sinusitis. [clevelandclinicmeded.com]

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a persistent cough occurring on most days for at least three months and for at least two consecutive years. [verywell.com]

COPD symptoms include persistent cough with mucus and shortness of breath. There are four stages of COPD. Treatment includes medications and lifestyle changes. [webmd.com]

It is common for someone with chronic bronchitis to persistently cough and wheeze when breathing. It is also common to feel short of breath and tired. [medbroadcast.com]

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

The following symptoms may occur: fever dry, persistent cough feeding problems wheezing Most cases are not serious, but if your child has difficulty breathing or feeding, [medicalnewstoday.com]

Allergic Asthma

Symptoms include: Being out of breath, even when you’re not moving, and feeling exhausted and confused Persistent cough and wheezing associated with shortness of breath Anxiety [doctorsthatdo.org]

Upper Airway Cough Syndrome

If you have a persistent cough that won’t go away, contact Dr. [centerforcough.com]

Whooping cough Whooping cough Last revised in June 2018 Summary Back to topWhooping cough : Summary Whooping Chronic Persistent Cough in Adults Source: Patient - 11 May 2017 [evidence.nhs.uk]

6 FAST TRACK Postnasal drip, often referred to as upper airway cough syndrome, is the leading cause of persistent cough. [mdedge.com]

Fibrinous Bronchitis

Anyone with a persistent cough should see a doctor for a diagnosis. What causes a cough? Find out here. [medicalnewstoday.com]

The primary symptom of bronchitis is a persistent cough. The primary symptom of bronchitis is a persistent, usually wet cough that contains lots of mucus. [medicalnewstoday.com]

It's important to bring your child in to be seen if the cough is severe, persistent, or associated with a high fever. [bakerpediatrics.com]

Bronchogenic Carcinoma

As such, common symptoms of lung cancer may include: Coughing up blood Recurrent pneumonia due to obstruction of the airways by a tumor Persistent cough At the current time [lungcancer.about.com]

Symptoms of bronchogenic carcinoma may include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, or repeated lung infections. [verywellhealth.com]

CLINICAL FEATURES • Local Tumour effects Persistent cough or change in usual cough Haemoptysis Chest pain (suggests chest wall or pleural involvement) Unresolving pneumonia [slideshare.net]

Unresolved Pneumonia

In appropriate clinical settings, foreign body aspiration should be considered in patients with recurrent pneumonia and persistent cough. [hindawi.com]

Initial symptoms of lung cancer may include one or more of the following: Persistent cough. Coughing up blood or bloodstained phlegm (sputum). [patient.info]

The symptoms of COP differ (depending on how much of the lung is affected) and typically resemble those of influenza (flu), such as: Persistent, dry cough High fever Shaking [brighamandwomens.org]

Malignant Neoplasm of the Lung

There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, but many people with the condition eventually develop symptoms including: a persistent cough coughing [nhs.uk]

When symptoms of the condition eventually develop, one of the most well-known signs is a persistent cough. [express.co.uk]

When lung cancer does cause signs in its early stages, they may vary from person to person but commonly include: A new cough that is persistent or worsens, or a change in [cancercenter.com]

Sarcoidosis

Fatigue and persistent cough are usually improved with steroid treatment. [webmd.com]

Sarcoidosis Symptoms and Facts Symptoms of sarcoidosis vary widely depending on the organs involved: In the lungs: persistent cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath (these [uofmhealth.org]

Most patients initially complain of a persistent dry cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include: Tender reddish bumps or patches on the skin. [webmd.com]

Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonia

The most frequent presenting features of DIP are the onset of breathlessness during exercise and a persistent cough that is not always productive of sputum [ 1, 3, 5, 6 ]. [err.ersjournals.com]

Case 1 (above): 68 year old man, ex-smoker (60 pack-years), presented with persistent cough - Biopsy from S5 Images hosted on other servers: Trichrome staining H&E and IHC [pathologyoutlines.com]

Mycoplasma Pneumonia

These results suggest that ECP may work as a factor causing a persistent cough similar to asthma in children with Mycoplasma pneumonia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] may become paroxysmal and nocturnal Cough may persist several weeks following resolution of constitutional symptoms Pleural effusions more common in severe disease Extrapulmonary [arupconsult.com]

Clinical Overview Diagnosis Indications for Testing Mild illness consisting of upper or lower respiratory illness with gradual onset of Malaise Fever Headache Sore throat Persistent [arupconsult.com]

Pulmonary Tuberculosis

When your immune system isn't strong enough to do so, latent TB becomes active TB, the most common symptom of which is a persistent cough that may produce blood-tinged phlegm [copd.about.com]

Symptoms and Diagnosis Breathing becomes laboured, a persistent cough accompanied by bloody sputum and night fevers develop. [hsl.mcmaster.libguides.com]

When to See a Doctor If you have been exposed to someone with TB, have chest pain or a persistent cough with or without phlegm, call your doctor, who will give you a skin [copd.about.com]

Bronchial Spasm

Source Tips to Get You Through the Night Few things are more irritating than a persistent cough. [remedygrove.com]

Pertussis ( whooping cough ): A highly contagious infection of the airways (bronchi) by Bordetella pertussis, causing persistent cough. [m.webmd.com]

It may also cause severe infections and a persistent cough. [patient.info]

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

[…] saliva and bronchial secretions • Carbocisteine • Home suction device • Propranolol • Assisted cough insufflator-exsufflator • Metoprolol • Rehydration (jelly or ice) • Pineapple [doi.org]

Another symptom of ALS that usually occurs after initial symptoms appear is persistent muscle twitching (fasciculation). [encyclopedia.com]

Hyoscine scopoderm • Nebulisation • Glycopyrronium • Steam inhalation • Amitriptyline • Injections of botulinum toxin into parotid glands • Irradiation of the salivary glands Persistent [doi.org]

Psychogenic Cough

While chronic cough may occur as a sole presenting manifestation of bronchial asthma in all age groups, recent findings suggest that most children with persistent cough without [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Abstract A 9-year-old girl with known mild intermittent asthma presented with a persistent cough. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

( hab'it kawf ) A persistent cough due to a tic or to psychological causes. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Chronic Bronchitis

Condition characterized by persistent coughing, increased secretion from the bronchial mucosa, obstruction of the respiratory passages, scanty or profuse expectoration, and [icd9data.com]

RATIONALE: Chronic bronchitis (CB) is characterized by persistent cough and sputum production. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

BACKGROUND: Smokers with persistent cough and sputum production (chronic bronchitis [CB]) represent a distinct clinical phenotype, consistently linked to negative clinical [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Viral Pneumonia

When to Seek Medical Care for Viral Pneumonia Go to your hospital's emergency department or call your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms: Persistent cough Shortness [emedicinehealth.com]

When to see a doctor See your doctor if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher, or persistent cough, especially if you're coughing [mayoclinic.org]

Or they may vomit, have a fever and cough, appear restless or tired and without energy, or have difficulty breathing and eating. [mayoclinic.org]

Asbestosis

These symptoms are most commonly: Shortness of breath Persistent cough Chest pain Weight loss Mesothelioma patients experience much more severe symptoms as their disease progresses [mesotheliomaguide.com]

When apparent, the symptoms of asbestosis typically include: Chest pain Constricted lung tissues Lack of energy Loss of endurance Persistent coughing Shortness of breath Because [mesothelioma.pro]

Other symptoms include: a persistent cough wheezing fatigue or extreme tiredness pain in your chest or shoulder in more advanced cases, clubbed (swollen) fingertips Diagnosis [blf.org.uk]

Chronic Laryngitis

Share on Pinterest Symptoms of chronic laryngitis can include a persistent cough, difficulty swallowing, and a sore throat. [medicalnewstoday.com]

Other symptoms of chronic laryngitis can include: excess mucus a persistent cough difficulty swallowing the feeling of a lump in the throat a sore throat loss of voice fever [medicalnewstoday.com]

Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis

The chronic disease usually has a higher morbidity; in most instances, the signs are weight loss, poor production, and persistent coughing. [merckvetmanual.com]

Continuous or repeated exposures over the course of weeks to months to years may eventually lead to a more severe group of symptoms such as a persistent cough, shortness of [emedicine.com]

Arachnoiditis

Thirty-eight patients with the diagnosis of postoperative epiduro-arachnoiditis are reported upon. All had had previous surgery for disc herniation, and the diagnosis of epiduro-arachnoiditis was confirmed at repeat surgery. Massive epidural scarring with no coexistent pathologic condition was found in every patient,[…] [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Umbilical Hernia

[…] or groin swelling Pain that is not relieved by your medications Persistent nausea or vomiting Inability to urinate Chills Persistent cough or shortness of breath Purulent [utsurgery.com]

The following factors make this more likely to happen: being overweight, lifting heavy objects, having a persistent cough, and having a multiple pregnancy. [hse.ie]

In adults, a natural weakness or strain from heavy lifting, persistent coughing, difficulty with bowel movements or urination can cause the abdominal wall to weaken or separate [utsurgery.com]

Legionnaires' Disease

Once the bacteria begin to infect your lungs, you may also develop a persistent cough (see Legionnaires' disease - symptoms). [hse.ie]

As the bacteria affects the lungs there are symptoms like persistent cough that is dry initially but progresses to a more productive form where the patient coughs up mucus [news-medical.net]

Once the bacteria infects a person's lungs, they may also develop a persistent cough, chest pains and breathing problems. [dailymail.co.uk]

Mycoplasma Infection

A persistent cough may linger for 6 weeks. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Respiratory: Chronic bronchitis, congestion, coughing, persistent coughing, chest pain, breathing irregularities. [lyme-symptoms.com]

Signs and symptoms include chest pain, persistent cough, fever and/or a sore throat. Complications are rare, but it is important to know the risks. [livestrong.com]

Bronchiolitis Obliterans

BO should be considered in a patient who has persistent cough and dyspnea, especially with a history of fume inhalation or offending drug use. [clinicaladvisor.com]

Five months post-transplant, he developed persistent cough, hypoxemia and worsening dyspenia complicated by grade I GVHD with skin stage II. [jscimedcentral.com]

Medical Management Workers should be promptly referred for further medical evaluation if they have persistent cough; persistent shortness of breath on exertion; frequent or [web.archive.org]

Chemical Pneumonitis

Acute: Cough Difficulty Breathing Abnormal lung sounds (wet, gurgling sounding breaths) Chest pain, tightness or burningChronic: Persistent cough Shortness of breath Increased [en.wikipedia.org]

[…] dry cough. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Abstract A 50-year-old man with a 30-year occupational history of welding presented with low-grade fever, fatigue and persistent dry cough. [jstage.jst.go.jp]