General Physician, Internal Medicine Specialist
MBBS, FCPS (Medicine)
General Physician, Internal Medicine Specialist, Diabetologist
MBBS (MD)
A cough is a reflex action to clear your airways of mucus and irritants such as dust or smoke. It's rarely a sign of anything serious. A 'dry cough' means it's tickly and doesn't produce any phlegm (thick mucus). A 'chesty cough' means phlegm is produced to help clear your airways.