Request an online visit for Cough. A licensed provider reviews your case and prescribes treatment when appropriate.
Board-Certified · Internal Medicine · Medical Director
All 50 states + DC·Video visit
In-network: Aetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare +18 more plans
Cough is a protective reflex that clears the airways, but persistent cough is one of the most common reasons people seek care. Acute cough (under three weeks) usually follows a viral infection. Subacute cough often reflects post-infectious airway inflammation. Chronic cough lasting more than eight weeks is most often caused by upper airway cough syndrome (post-nasal drip), asthma, GERD, ACE-inhibitor use, or — in smokers — chronic bronchitis. Evaluation focuses on red flags such as blood, weight loss, or fever, and targets the underlying cause rather than suppressing the cough itself.