Abstract
A cough is a reflex action to clear the airways of potential causative factors of obstruction or to respond to (heat, chemical or thermal) irritation. When persistent, cough becomes a symptom accompanying a number of diseases and makes the patient seek medical attention.
In terms of prevalence, cough is one of the most common symptoms the patients present with. Both acute (lasting up to three weeks) and chronic (lasting more than three weeks; according to some, duration of up to eight weeks can be accepted) forms are encountered.
The diagnosis of its aetiology often requires multidisciplinary cooperation. Its underestimation may have fatal consequences for the patient because the disease may be serious.