Types of dry cough and their potential causes

What is a dry cough or a non-productive cough?

Different types of dry coughs and their potential causes

1. Post-viral cough

• Causes: Occurs after a viral upper respiratory infection like a cold, flu, or COVID-19. The cough persists even after the infection subsides.  
• Symptoms: Persistent dry cough, which may aggravate at night.  
• Duration: It can last for 3-8 weeks after the viral infection. 
• Home remedies: 
  • Drinking a mixture of honey and warm water soothes the throat.  
  • Use a steam inhaler to keep the airways moist.  
  • Utilising lozenges or throat sprays to alleviate irritation and help calm coughing. 

2. Allergic cough:

• Causes: Triggered by irritants such as dust, pet dander, pollen, or mould. 
• Symptoms: Runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and dry cough. 
• Duration: Can last as long as the individual is exposed to the allergen. 
• Home remedies: 
  • Avoid allergens   
  • Antihistamines to alleviate allergic responses. 
  • Use air filters and dehumidifiers in your home. 
  • Use nasal saline solution to clear the sinuses. 

3. Asthma-related cough:

• Causes: Asthma leads to swelling and constriction of the airways, resulting in a dry cough, especially during the night or post-exercise.  
• Symptoms: Breathlessness, wheezing, dry cough, and tightness in the chest.  
• Duration: Persistent, but can be controlled with medication. 
• Home remedies:  
  • Use of inhalers 
  • Practise breathing exercises 
  • Avoid triggers like smoke or strong odours 

4. Acid reflux (GORD):

• Causes: Stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, inflaming the throat and leading to a dry cough.  
• Symptoms: Heartburn, sore throat, chest discomfort, and cough after meals.  
• Duration: The Cough may last as long as acid reflux symptoms persist.  
• Home remedies: 
  • Avoid lying down after eating. 
  • Eat small, frequent meals. 
  • Drink warm herbal teas. 
  • Elevate the head while sleeping. 

5. Laryngitis

• Causes: Inflammation of the larynx, typically caused by viral infections, strain, or pollutants like smoke. 
• Symptoms: Dry cough, sore throat, hoarse voice, and loss of voice. 
• Duration: May last from a few days to 2 weeks. 
• Home remedies: 
  • Drink sufficient fluids, especially warm teas with honey. 
  • Gargle with warm saline water. 
  • Rest your voice. 
  • Use a humidifier. 

6. Whooping cough (Pertussis)

• Causes: Caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium, which is highly contagious. 
• Symptoms: Severe coughing spells followed by a “whooping” sound, stuffy nose, exhaustion, and slight fever.  
• Duration: Can last 6-10 weeks. 
• Home remedies:  
  • Use a humidifier 
  • Stay hydrated 
  • Avoid irritants like smoke 

7. Croup

• Causes: a viral infection (often seen in young children), generally caused by the parainfluenza virus, or RSV, resulting in inflammation around the vocal cords.  
• Symptoms: Hoarseness, barking cough, and breathing difficulties, usually at night.  
• Duration: It lasts 3-7 days, though the cough may continue for weeks. 
• Home remedies:  
  • Steam inhalation 
  • Keep the child calm and in an upright position to facilitate breathing. 
  • Take them outdoors to get fresh air. 

8. Irritant-induced cough

• Causes: Exposure to environmental allergens like smoke, chemicals, pollution, or fumes. 
• Symptoms: Dry, recurrent cough triggered by inhalation of irritants.  
• Duration: Continues as long as the irritants are present. 
• Home remedies:  
  • Avoid exposure to allergens 
  • Drink enough fluids to keep the throat moist 
  • Use an air purifier 
  • Use a saline nasal spray to clear the airways. 

9. Medication-related cough

• Causes: Certain medications can cause a dry, persistent cough as a side effect. 
• Symptoms: Recurrent dry cough with no other cold or flu symptoms. 
• Duration: It can last as long as the medication is used. 
• Home remedies:  
  • Stay hydrated 
  • Consult your doctor about changing medications. 

10. Sinusitis

• Causes: Swelling or infection of the sinuses, often following a cold.  
• Symptoms: Congestion, post-nasal drip, headache, facial pressure, and dry cough. 
• Duration: Acute sinusitis persists for up to 4 weeks, but chronic sinusitis can continue for months. 
• Home remedies:  
  • Inhale steam 
  • Drink warm liquids 
  • Apply a warm compress to the sinuses 
  • Use a saline nasal rinse 

11. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Causes: Prolonged exposure to harmful irritants, primarily smoking. 
• Symptoms: Breathlessness, wheezing, chronic cough, and frequent lung infections. 
• Duration: It may last lifelong. 
• Home remedies:  
  • Use inhalers as prescribed. 
  • Quit smoking and avoid passive smoking 
  • Stay active to improve lung function. 

12. Interstitial lung disease

• Causes: A group of lung diseases that lead to gradual scarring of lung tissue. 
• Symptoms: Shortness of breath, fatigue, dry cough, and unintentional weight loss. 
• Duration: Chronic and may worsen over time. 
• Home remedies: 
  • Avoid irritants like dust and smoke 
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation to improve lung capacity. 

Less common causes

• Lung cancer 
• Tuberculosis 
• Silicosis 
• Cystic fibrosis 
• Bronchiectasis 
• Pulmonary fibrosis 

Do colds, flu and COVID cause a dry cough?

• Colds: Colds usually cause a mild wet or dry cough, commonly accompanied by congestion. 
• Flu (Influenza): May trigger a dry cough that can become intense and persist for weeks. 
• COVID-19: Often results in a persistent dry cough, usually along with fever, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell. 

How do I know if my dry cough is serious?

When to call the doctor?

Get help via telehealth

1. Telehealth consultations: Patients can converse with qualified healthcare providers about ongoing dry cough, breathing challenges, or other symptoms. The doctor will evaluate the situation and suggest a suitable treatment. 
2. Immediate prescriptions: If necessary, prescriptions can be sent electronically to a nearby pharmacy or delivered the same day through online pharmacy services. 
3. Doctor referrals: For severe or persistent cough, doctors can facilitate referrals for additional tests or specialists, like pulmonologists for lung concerns. 
4. Online medical certificates: If a cough necessitates time off from work or school, Hola Health can provide same-day or multi-day medical certificates according to individual requirements.