Difference Between Dry Cough and Wet Cough

Here are the major differences between dry cough and wet cough as mentioned below.

Feature	Dry Cough	Wet Cough
Description	Cough without mucus or phlegm.	Cough with mucus or phlegm.
Character	Often irritating and scratchy.	Often sounds “wet” or “chesty.”
Sound	Described as “hacky” or “barking.”	May produce rattling or gurgling sounds.
Phlegm	No or minimal production.	Significant production of mucus.
Causes	Allergies, asthma, viral infections.	Cold, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia.
Duration	Can be persistent and long-lasting.	May vary in duration, usually shorter.
Severity	May be less intense.	Can range from mild to severe.
Chest Discomfort	Often associated with soreness or tightness.	May involve chest congestion.
Productivity	Typically less mucus.	Produces more mucus.
Treatment	Cough suppressants, antitussive medications.	Expectorants, humidifiers.
Nighttime	Often worsens at night.	May worsen due to postnasal drip.
Frequency	Occurs intermittently or persistently.	May occur more frequently.
Triggers	Cold air, dust, smoke.	Allergens, viruses, bacteria.
Complications	Risk of throat irritation.	Risk of chest congestion or infection.
Resolution	Resolves with treatment.	May require longer recovery time.

Difference between Dry Cough and Wet Cough

The difference between dry cough and wet cough lies in the presence of mucus. A dry cough is a non-productive cough that does not produce any mucus or phlegm in our body. It is caused by irritation and inflammation of the respiratory airway.

A wet cough produces mucus or phlegm and can be caused by different types of illness affecting our respiratory system. In this article, we are going to discuss the difference between dry cough and wet cough in detail.

Table of Content

Dry Cough

Dry Cough Symptoms

Wet Cough

Wet Cough Symptoms

Difference Between Dry Cough and Wet Cough
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FAQs – Difference Between Dry Cough and Wet Cough

Difference Between Dry Cough and Wet Cough