Is a Cough Contagious?

Coughing isn’t a condition in itself, but an indication of an underlying medical condition. Coughing caused by bacterial or viral upper respiratory infections are contagious, but coughing caused by disorders like asthma and COPD is not.

Cough is not a disease in itself, but a symptom of an underlying medical condition. A cough can be voluntary or involuntary, and it is the body’s way to help clear the airways of irritants and to prevent infection. 

What Are Symptoms of Cough?

A cough may be accompanied by other cold symptoms, including:

• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Hoarseness
• Postnasal drip 
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Heartburn 

Causes of cough include:

• Infections
  • Common colds (viral infections)
  • Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) 
  • Whooping cough (pertussis)
  • Bacterial or fungal infections
  • Pneumonia
• Smoking
  • The most common cause of chronic cough
• Postnasal drip 
  • Allergies (allergic rhinitis)
  • Sinus infection
• Lung conditions
  • Asthma 
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis 
  • Interstitial lung disease
  • Lung cancer
• Congestive heart failure
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 
• Certain medications such as ACE inhibitors
• Inhalation of foreign objects into the lungs (usually in children)
• Sarcoidosis

Cough itself is not contagious as it is a symptom of another condition, however, some causes of cough can be contagious. 

Infectious causes of cough such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi can be transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets propelled into the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. 

Cough is diagnosed with a history and physical exam. Tests may be used to help diagnose the cause of the cough. 

• Lung imaging
  • Chest X-ray 
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest
• Lung function tests 
• Swab of inside the nose to test for COVID-19
• Lab tests of phlegm that is coughed up
• Acid reflux testing
  • Upper endoscopy 
  • pH probe
• Allergy tests 

Treatment for cough depends on the cause. Treatment may include: 

• Over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines that contain guaifenesin and/or dextromethorphan (available as cough syrups and in tablet form)
• Antibiotics for infection caused by bacteria such as bacterial pneumonia and bronchitis
  • Antibiotics do not treat cough caused by viruses such as the common cold, flu, or COVID-19
• Inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled steroids to treat asthma and COPD
• Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or nasal inhalers like ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) for postnasal drip 
• Stomach acid reducers such as famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac) omeprazole (Prilosec, Prilosec OTC), lansoprazole (Prevacid, Prevacid 24-Hour), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), esomeprazole (Nexium) to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 
• If cough is caused from taking an ACE inhibitor, your doctor may switch your medication
  • Never stop taking a prescribed medicine without first consulting your doctor
• Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to treat pain caused by coughing

Home remedies to help relieve a cough include:

• Stay hydrated
• Gargle with warm saltwater 
• Inhale steam in a shower or using a humidifier 
• Suck on cough lozenges (lozenges are not recommended for young children; they can be a choking hazard)  
• Avoid allergens such as pollen, dust, animals, or mold 
• Avoid inhaled irritants such as smoke, dust, and other pollutants
• Don’t smoke
• For GERD: Avoid foods that increase reflux, avoid meals before lying down, elevate the head while sleeping