When this happens, it is important to try and manage both the cough and anxiety symptoms. Infections Most often chronic cough is not contagious. It very frequently follows a viral upper respiratory tract infection. Occasionally, however, it can be caused by whooping cough which is contagious. Some clues to this are a whistling noise which occurs at the end of a bout of severe coughing, and a cough which develops after you have been in contact with someone with whooping cough.
Whooping cough can occur in adults as well as children.
Adult whooping cough is a distressing problem which can last for many weeks. It has little effective treatment. Coughing is a very vigorous activity. Treatment for chronic cough is most successful when it is directed at a specific cause. For this reason it is important to see your doctor if you develop chronic cough.