What is cough? Cough is a body physiological response that protects the airways . It is a sudden and forceful expulsion of air from the lungs to expel something that is irritating, obstructing, or inflaming the throat, trachea, or lungs, such as: Respiratory secretions; Irritating effects, for example from substances such as dust or smoke, or even cold air; Inadvertently inhaled particles; Microorganisms. Various situations and with very different severity can cause them. Types of cough Coughs can be classified in several ways. Regarding their duration: Acute : less than 3 weeks Subacute : between 3-8 weeks Chronic : greater than 8 weeks The presence or absence of sputum classifies the cough as: Dry or non-productive cough : More frequent and transient; It is commonly related to allergies or irritating substances; It can cause discomfort and irritation in the throat. Productive cough or cough with sputum : It is a sign that it is necessary to eliminate secretions from the respiratory tract (these secretions are sputum); It is common in respiratory infections. When a cough is not a cause for concern In most cases, a cough is not a cause for concern and resolves itself or with simple self-care. Cough that appears suddenly, sporadically, is not bothersome, and is not accompanied by other symptoms, especially fever, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. It may be related to allergies or a dry environment and even to cold weather. Rest, well-ventilated environments with adequate humidity levels, maintaining good hydration, and avoiding any identified triggering factors are measures that can help. However, if the cough does not disappear in 2-3 weeks, medical attention should be sought . Signs that a cough needs medical attention (WARNING SIGNS) A cough that is: Accompanied by fever, particularly when it does not respond to medication; Accompanied by shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or unexplained chest pain; Accompanied by unexplained weight loss, excessive fatigue, or night sweats; Persistent, intense, and showing no signs of improvement after 2-3 weeks; Coughing up blood or brownish, reddish, or dark sputum; Resulting from contact with someone with severe respiratory infections. In children, the elderly, immunocompromised people, smokers, and people with chronic respiratory diseases, it is necessary to be even more attentive to coughs and seek medical attention when there is an unusual cough or one that worsens. For any other concerns or questions about coughing, it's always best to discuss them with a doctor to prevent complications and ensure a quick and safe recovery . Author : Diogo Abreu (general and family medicine) Meet the general and family medicine clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
