A cough is a reflex action to clear your airways of mucus, phlegm and irritants, such as dust, smoke or a foreign body.
A cough can be caused by inflammation of your upper respiratory tract (throat and windpipe) due to a viral infection. A viral infection can be a common cold, flu, laryngitis or bronchitis. Coughs caused by the common cold or the flu usually clear up after a few days. However a cough which is caused by a lung infection, such as bronchitis, may be present for several weeks after the infection has gone due to inflammation in the airways.
A cold is a contagious viral disease which infects the soft lining (mucus membrane) of the nose. There are more than 100 different viruses which can result in a cold. Usually the common cold is a mild condition, with recovery taking place within a week.
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