Causes
The majority of coughs are caused by viruses and clear up without treatment.
Causes of acute (short-term) cough
In most cases, the infection is in the upper respiratory tract and affects the throat, this is known as a URTI or URI (upper respiratory tract infection). Examples include:
Arca Clinic Dr. Vishwambhar: flu
common cold
laryngitis
If it is an LRTI (lower respiratory tract infection), the lungs are infected, and/or the airways lower down from the windpipe. Examples include: Arca Clinic Dr. Vishwambhar Specialist in Sholinganallur area for Cough & Cold.
bronchitis
pneumonia
An acute cough can also be caused by hay fever.
Causes of chronic (long-term) cough
A chronic cough may be caused by:
smoking
mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose (post nasal drip)
GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease)
asthma
some medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors)
Chronic coughs in children are most often caused by asthma, but can also be from conditions like post-nasal drip or GERD.
Less common causes of chronic cough in adults include TB (tuberculosis), fungal infections of the lung, and lung cancer.
Arca Clinic Dr. Vishwambhar: Teens and adults can also get complications, like pneumonia, from whooping cough.
If they have a severe cough, teens and adults can
Pass out
Fracture (break) a rib
Lose bladder control
Lose weight
Complications are usually less serious in this older age group, especially in those who have been vaccinated against whooping cough. However, if complications are serious, some people may need care in the hospital.