Is Dry Cough a Sign of COVID?

A dry cough, unlike a productive cough, does not produce any phlegm (mucus). One of the many common symptoms of COVID-19 is a dry cough, or a COVID cough. Staying hydrated, sucking on cough drops, or taking a steamy shower can ease a dry cough.

A COVID cough can last from several days while you are sick and last several months if you develop long COVID. Read on to learn more about a dry cough due to COVID and treatments.

What Causes a Dry Cough?

Inflamed or irritated airways can result in a dry cough. This usually occurs as a result of illnesses and infections like:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Bronchitis, or inflammation of the airways that carry air to the lungs (bronchial tubes)
• Colds and the flu
• COVID
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), which causes stomach contents to flow backward and into the esophagus
• Pneumonia, or an infection of one or both lungs
• Post-nasal drip
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or a respiratory infection that causes cold-like symptoms
• Smoking

What Is a COVID Cough?

A COVID cough is normally a dry cough that occurs with COVID. What does a dry cough sound like? A hacking cough is one way to describe a COVID cough, but there are limited details on how it sounds.

There's ongoing research to learn more about the characteristics and how a COVID compares to other dry coughing. A dry, hacking cough can be a sign of other illnesses. You will not know if you have COVID by the presence of coughing alone. Getting tested can confirm if you have COVID.

How Long Does a COVID Cough Last?

A study published in 2021 found that coughing starts within one day of having COVID and can last for several days after. You can still have a lingering cough as part of long COVID, even if you do not have an active infection. Long COVID describes symptoms that linger several weeks or months after having COVID.

Treatments for a COVID Cough

Treatments that specifically target a COVID cough are not yet available. Treating COVID can help you get relief from coughing. Try over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen). Antiviral drugs are available for people at risk for severe infection.

General remedies for coughing include:

• Breathing in steam from a hot shower
• Drinking plenty of fluids to thin mucus, which makes it easy to cough up
• Not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
• Sucking on cough drops or hard candy
• Using a vaporizer to add moisture to the air

When To See a Healthcare Provider

You'll want to see a healthcare provider if you have a violent cough that produces blood, rapidly starts, or worsens. Talk to a healthcare provider if your cough lasts more than 10–14 days.

Get medical attention right away if you have:

• Fever
• Had recent exposure to tuberculosis (TB)
• Heart disease
• Leg swelling
• Night sweats
• Stridor, or high-pitched sounds when breathing in
• Unintentional weight loss

It's best to follow isolation recommendations if you have or think you have COVID. Consult a healthcare provider if you are at risk for severe infection, such as having a weak immune system. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have moderate or severe COVID symptoms like difficulty breathing or discolored lips, skin, or nails.

A Quick Review

A COVID cough is typically a dry, hacking cough that occurs during and after the initial COVID infection. A dry cough can also indicate a cold, allergies, asthma, the flu, or RSV. The cough can last from several days while you are sick with COVID to several months as part of long COVID. See a healthcare provider for a worsening cough or at risk for severe infection.

The information in this story is accurate as of publication. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.