Persistent Cough: A Symptom Worth Investigating
Eight weeks is the threshold for chronic cough.
Dr. Hélène Marquet
Pulmonologist
- Acute: <3 weeks (usually viral)
- Subacute: 3-8 weeks (often post-infectious)
- Chronic: >8 weeks
Common causes of chronic cough
Upper airway cough syndrome (post-nasal drip), asthma/cough-variant asthma, GERD, ACE inhibitor use, post-infectious.
When to investigate further
Haemoptysis, weight loss, smoker over 40, breathlessness, night sweats — chest imaging and specialist review.
Treatment
Identify and treat the underlying cause. Cough suppressants have a limited role; speech and language therapy helps refractory chronic cough.
Stopping ACE inhibitors resolves the cough within weeks if it is the cause.
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