Wet Cough vs Dry Cough: What to Know

Key Takeaways

A wet cough brings up thick or thin mucus or phlegm from the airways and lungs, while a dry cough doesn’t bring up any mucus.
A wet cough is a common symptom of the common cold or flu and is usually accompanied by postnasal drip, runny nose, nasal congestion, and fatigue. A wet cough usually goes away once the infection clears.
A dry cough can be caused by an underlying medical condition such as an upper respiratory tract infection (cold or flu) or bacterial infections like whooping cough.

The cough reflex is an automatic response to foreign matter or irritants in the airways. There are different types of coughs, including acute cough vs chronic cough (depending on how long the cough lasts) and wet cough vs dry cough (depending on whether it brings up mucus). Please continue reading to learn more about wet coughs and dry coughs.

Wet Cough vs Dry Cough: What’s the Difference?

A wet cough is also called a productive cough. It brings up thick or thin mucus or phlegm from the airways and lungs. A dry cough is called an unproductive cough. It doesn’t bring up any mucus.

Here are the key differences between a wet and dry cough:

Causes

A wet cough is a common symptom of the common cold or flu, pneumonia, asthma, acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A dry cough can be caused by an underlying medical condition such as an upper respiratory tract infection (cold or flu), bacterial infections like whooping cough, sore throats, tonsillitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, allergies, asthma, COVID-19, ongoing irritation from environmental irritants like pollen, dust, or cigarette smoke, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or backflow of stomach acid, and certain medications such as ACE inhibitors.

Sensation

A wet cough can feel like something is stuck in the back of your throat. A dry cough often feels like a trickle in the throat.

Accompanying symptoms

Common symptoms accompanying wet coughs include postnasal drip, runny nose, nasal congestion, and fatigue. A wet cough is usually a short-term cough that goes away once the infection clears. However, excess mucus can cause breathing difficulties if the cough persists.

Dry coughs are often accompanied by other symptoms such as sore throat, chest pain, and chest tightness. It can turn into a persistent cough or hacking cough with intermittent coughing fits. A paroxysmal cough is a type of cough in which there are periodic, uncontrollable, violent coughing attacks that can be painful and exhausting and may cause vomiting after the coughing episode.

Treatments

Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines, including cough drops and cough suppressants, can help control cough symptoms in both wet and dry coughs. Other home remedies for cough include a cool mist humidifier, steam inhalation, and staying well hydrated to prevent the airways from becoming dry and irritated.

You should see a doctor if you have a chronic cough. (Chronic coughs are coughs that last for more than a few weeks). Your primary care provider may prescribe antibiotics if your cough is caused by a bacterial infection. Remember, however, antibiotics do not work against a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. It is important to identify the cause of the cough in order to treat it properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a wet cough sound like?

A wet cough sounds like a rattling, crackling, wheezing, bubbling, or clicking in your chest. These sounds occur due to thick mucus in the upper airways and lower airways that prevent the smooth flow of air.

What does an asthma cough sound like?

Asthma causes a dry type of cough (without mucus). This cough can produce a high-pitched wheezing sound, which occurs due to air flowing through constricted (narrowed) airways.

How do you know if your child’s cough is wet or dry?

If your child’s cough does not bring up any mucus or phlegm, it is a dry cough. If it brings up mucus, it is a wet cough.

Does a wet cough mean getting better?

A wet cough can mean getting better because it is your lungs trying to expel foreign materials like germs. While it can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, a wet, chesty cough is a way for the body to heal itself by expelling irritants or germs.

Is a wet cough the end of a cold?

A wet cough may be the last symptom that lingers after you recover from a common cold.

When to see a doctor for a cough?

You should see a doctor for:

Coughs that bring up yellowish-green mucus.
Coughing up blood.
Coughs that make sounds like rattling, barking, wheezing, or whooping.
Persistent coughs that do not improve with OTC medications.
Coughs that last more than 4 weeks (short-term coughs clear within 3 weeks and are less likely to require medical attention).
Coughs that are accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, headache, chest pain, or shortness of breath.