What Is a Wet Cough?

All that mucus and phlegm are telling you something.

AT A GLANCE

A productive cough is characterized by the expulsion of mucus, often caused by inflammation or irritation stemming from an infection. Typically, this kind of cough tends to ameliorate naturally and can be eased through the use of readily available medications and home-based treatments. If a wet cough endures beyond a few weeks, it is advisable to seek guidance from a medical professional, as it could potentially signify a more severe underlying condition necessitating antibiotics or further medical intervention.

In your daily interactions, you might casually use terms like “wet” and “dry” to characterize your preferred martini style or the sustenance you provide for your pets. However, these descriptors also pertain to the nature of the cough you may be experiencing.

As outlined by the American Lung Association, a productive cough, commonly referred to as “wet,” involves the expulsion of mucus that can exhibit a range of colors including clear, white, yellow, green, or brown. Dr. Meilan Han, a prominent figure in internal medicine and a representative of the American Lung Association, explained to Health that this type of cough is associated with mucus discharge. Conversely, a non-productive cough, termed “dry,” lacks phlegm. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a medical professional specializing in family and emergency medicine and the medical director for CityMD in New York City, further elaborated on this distinction to Health.

It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the symptoms, potential triggers, available treatment avenues, and the differentiating factors that set it apart from a dry cough.

What Does a Wet Cough Feel and Sound Like?

The presence of mucus plays a pivotal role in determining the nature of your cough’s sensation. Dr. Han explains that wet coughs stem from lung inflammation, triggering heightened mucus production. There are instances where the surplus phlegm could even lead to breathing difficulties. In contrast, Dr. Han notes that a dry cough typically commences with a tickling feeling in the throat before the coughing starts, often resulting in a parched or irritated sensation.

The auditory aspect of your cough can also provide insights into whether it’s wet or dry. A wet cough is often accompanied by a sound akin to something rattling within the chest. When a healthcare professional employs a stethoscope to listen to your lungs, they might detect crackling, wheezing, or rales, along with subtle clicking, bubbling, or rattling noises during inhalation, as described by Dr. Nesheiwat. Conversely, a dry cough may manifest as a hoarse or “hacking” sound.

Causes

According to the American Lung Association’s definition, a cough is a natural mechanism your body employs to expel irritants like smoke, dust, or chemicals from your airways, as highlighted by Dr. Han. In the context of wet coughs, the underlying irritant that your body seeks to eliminate is mucus, as an excess accumulation of phlegm within the lungs can lead to breathing difficulties. Dr. Nesheiwat elucidates that mucus build-up often arises from inflammation or irritation triggered by viral or bacterial infections.

Digging deeper, sudden-onset wet coughs, lasting less than three weeks, can be linked to viral infections such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, or the common cold, Dr. Nesheiwat states. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute attributes wet coughs to infections like bacterial or viral pneumonia, which cause the lung’s air sacs to become filled with fluid or pus, resulting in a rattling cough. Additionally, Dr. Han adds that these infections can also lead to bronchitis – inflammation of the bronchial tube lining, often arising after the clearance of a cold or respiratory infection.

Conversely, wet coughs persisting for at least eight weeks fall under the chronic category according to the American Lung Association. This chronic nature is frequently attributed to chronic bronchitis, a condition frequently linked to cigarette smoking, as explained by Dr. Han.

The American Lung Association outlines that bronchiectasis, a condition characterized by irreversible bronchial tube wall damage, can also induce a wet cough. Dr. Han further notes that while bronchiectasis is associated with cystic fibrosis, individuals with certain immunodeficiency or autoimmune disorders, as well as those with chronic lung conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), could also be at risk, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Treatment

The most appropriate approach to address your wet cough hinges on its underlying cause. Coughs accompanied by phlegm that stem from acute viral infections typically resolve within a few weeks without intervention. Over-the-counter medications containing expectorants, such as guaifenesin, can aid in making the mucus less viscous, facilitating its expulsion by coughing, as outlined by the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus.

Several home remedies can also provide relief for this type of cough. “I frequently suggest to my patients the consumption of hot tea with honey, utilizing a humidifier emitting warm mist, and using cough drops,” conveyed Dr. Nesheiwat. The tea’s abundance of antioxidants can help mitigate inflammation, honey may offer respite from the cough, and the humidifier is beneficial in thinning the mucus, Dr. Nesheiwat elaborated.

Addressing wet coughs attributed to chronic bronchitis may involve recommendations from your healthcare professional. They might advise the use of cough suppressants before bedtime, aiding in undisturbed sleep during the night. Should allergies, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) be present, an inhaler could be recommended to mitigate inflammation and widen the constricted air passages within the lungs.

What Should You Do if Your Wet Cough Doesn’t Go Away?

Should your wet cough exhibit no signs of improvement or worsen over the course of a few weeks, it’s prudent to seek guidance from a healthcare professional. Additionally, it’s crucial to inform them if your persistent cough is accompanied by symptoms such as wheezing, fever, and/or chills.

In some instances, an X-ray might be deemed necessary to assess the possibility of pneumonia, a condition that can pose a serious threat to older adults and individuals with preexisting heart failure or chronic lung conditions. Dr. Nesheiwat indicates that if a bacterial infection is the underlying cause, antibiotics could be prescribed by your healthcare provider as part of the treatment strategy.

Preventing the occurrence of a wet cough entails adopting measures to shield oneself from respiratory infections. Dr. Nesheiwat offers valuable insights into minimizing risk through simple yet effective practices. “We can proactively prevent infections by receiving the flu shot, the COVID vaccine, and eligible booster shots,” Dr. Nesheiwat advises. She also emphasizes maintaining meticulous hand hygiene, alongside wearing masks indoors, especially in densely populated public spaces that lack proper ventilation.