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Persistent Cough? Know the Causes and Treatment for Cough Lasting Over Three Weeks
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News18•25-09-2026, 22:54
Persistent Cough? Know the Causes and Treatment for Cough Lasting Over Three Weeks
  • •A cough lasting three weeks or more is a serious health risk and may indicate tuberculosis.
  • •Symptoms like phlegm or blood in sputum, chest pain, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, and night sweats alongside a persistent cough can point to TB.
  • •Other causes of a persistent cough include asthma, allergies, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), especially in smokers.
  • •It is crucial to consult a doctor if a cough persists for more than three weeks.
  • •Coughing up blood, severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, and unexplained weight loss can also be symptoms of lung cancer, requiring immediate medical attention.

Key Questions Answered

A cough lasting three weeks or more is considered a serious health risk and can indicate conditions like pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma, allergies, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, requiring immediate medical examination.

Symptoms associated with tuberculosis include phlegm or blood in the sputum, chest pain, weakness, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, fever, and night sweats.

Long-term smokers with a persistent cough are at a higher risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which causes long-term damage to the airways and lungs and gradually increases breathing difficulties.