A productive cough produces phlegm or mucus, clearing it from the lungs. A nonproductive cough, known as a dry cough, doesn’t produce phlegm or mucus. Many things — from allergies to acid ...

Clearing your throat after a cough can irritate vocal cords, leading to polyps. Stay hydrated and consider steam treatments ...

A productive, or wet, cough produces mucus or phlegm. An unproductive, or dry cough, doesn't produce mucus and phlegm. It's difficult to diagnose COVID based on the sound of the cough. About 60% ...

You may commonly notice a wet or dry cough in kids. Coughing is a defensive response that clears the airways of irritants, ...

A dry cough is one that doesn't produce mucus or phlegm. It may occur when you have conditions such as the cold or flu or more serious conditions like asthma, pneumonia, heart failure ...

A persistent cough can be a sign of a more serious illness, which is why it's important to get it checked by a doctor.

“A productive cough is a cough that produces phlegm,” Dr. Youssef says. But a non-productive cough is more dry, says John M.

Persistent coughing affects millions of Americans each year, ranging from mild irritations to indicators of serious health ...

Many infections involve dry coughs that don't produce phlegm at all. And if we do ultimately cough to clear out our airway during an infection, that still wouldn't explain what exactly our nerves ...

Learn when your cough needs immediate medical attention and discover proven home remedies for relief, backed by leading pulmonologists in 2025.

“If your cough is not getting better after a week, it is a good idea to check in with your doctor,” says Eric Ascher, D.O., family medicine physician at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital. But if your ...