You’ve tried lozenges, herbal tea, maybe even a spoonful of manuka honey your auntie swears by. But that cough? Still going strong.
In Singapore’s humid climate—where a cold might last a few days but the cough drags on like an unfinished WhatsApp convo—it’s easy to wonder if it’s just part of life. Let’s clear the air (literally) and break down why coughs sometimes overstay their welcome, and what you can actually do about it.
First Things First: Why Do We Even Cough?
Coughing is your body’s way of clearing the airways—your lungs hitting the panic button when they detect something irritating, like dust, mucus, haze particles, or the chilli fumes from a late-night mala hotpot session.
It’s a protective reflex that helps keep your windpipe and lungs clear. But when a cough sticks around for weeks, it’s time to pay attention.
Types of Cough: Know Your Soundtrack
Here’s a quick guide to the kinds of coughs you might be stuck with:
- Dry cough – That tickly, itchy feeling in your throat that won’t quit. Usually no phlegm.
- Wet or productive cough – Brings up mucus. Sounds gross but it’s your body doing a deep clean.
- Acute cough – Shows up with colds or flu and clears up within 2–3 weeks.
- Chronic cough – Lingers longer than 3 weeks.
Lingering After a Cold? You’re Not Alone
Maybe you had the flu, COVID, or just a run-of-the-mill bug—and now you’re well… except for that cough. This is super common in Singapore, especially with all the air-con, variable weather, and recirculated indoor air. Plus your inflamed airways and over-responsive cough receptors can easily be triggered by minor irritants.
In addition, your body’s response to infection makes the mucus more sticky – and more difficult to clear. This can trigger an unhelpful feedback loop that slows your recovery after an infection. In fact, studies show that in children, coughs can last up to 25 days after a simple cold. That means almost a month of coughing after everything else has cleared up.
What helps:
- Drink warm liquids (local tip: ginger + lemon works wonders)
- Avoid cold drinks (sorry, kopi peng)
- Use a humidifier if you sleep with air-con
- Rest your voice (karaoke can wait)
Could It Be a Bacterial Infection?
If your cough is thick, chesty, and comes with yellow or green phlegm—or you’ve got a fever—it could be a bacterial infection like bronchitis or even pneumonia.
These are more serious and might need antibiotics (but only if your doctor confirms it). In Singapore, GPs are very familiar with this, especially during monsoon seasons or flu outbreaks.
What helps:
- Visit your neighbourhood clinic or polyclinic for a check-up
- Don’t self-medicate with leftover antibiotics (or whatever’s in your drawer from three years ago)
That Humid Air Isn’t Helping
In Singapore, the air is mostly clean—but we do have the very occasional low haze, plus high humidity, which can trigger coughing or make it worse if you’ve got sensitive airways. Some condos and offices can feel drier than the Sahara thanks to 24/7 air-con, which also dries out your throat and nasal passages.
What helps:
- Use a humidifier if you sleep in air-con
- Drink water throughout the day (bonus: helps with hawker stall spice)
- Avoid outdoor exercise during haze periods (PSI above 100 = stay in)
Postnasal Drip: The Silent Irritant
A lot of lingering coughs here are due to postnasal drip—when mucus from allergies or sinus issues drips down your throat and causes irritation. Singaporeans with sensitive sinuses know this struggle all too well, especially with frequent rain, indoor mould, and dust mites.
What helps:
- Try a saline nasal rinse
- Use antihistamines or a nasal spray (get advice from a pharmacist or GP)
- Avoid strong perfumes or dusty environments (yes, even spring cleaning!)
Is It Asthma or Just a Cough?
In Singapore, asthma is quite common, and there’s a version called cough-variant asthma—where your only symptom might be, well, a cough. No wheezing, no breathlessness—just a constant dry cough, especially at night or after exercise.
What helps:
- See a GP to get a proper diagnosis
- Inhalers and preventers may be prescribed
- Monitor when your cough gets worse (e.g., after sports or cold air)
GERD (acid reflux) in Disguise
Singaporeans love their food—but spicy, greasy, and acidic dishes (hello laksa and sambal anything) can trigger acid reflux, which in turn causes… a cough.
GERD-related cough often shows up after meals or at bedtime. It’s dry, annoying, and doesn’t seem linked to any cold.
What helps:
- Avoid lying down right after eating
- Eat smaller meals
- Cut back on acidic and spicy foods (or try having them earlier in the day)
- Antacids or meds might be needed—ask your doc
Could Your Medicine Be the Culprit?
If you’re taking blood pressure meds—especially ACE inhibitors—they might be the cause of your persistent dry cough. It’s a known side effect and surprisingly common in Singapore’s ageing population.
What helps:
- Don’t stop meds without checking
- Your doctor can switch you to another type if needed
Smokers (and Vapers), Listen Up
Whether it’s occasional shisha, regular cigs, or vaping, smoking can damage the lungs and lead to chronic coughing. Long-term exposure can cause conditions like chronic bronchitis or COPD, especially if you live with other smokers.
What helps:
- Quit smoking (there’s support available through HPB and polyclinics)
- See a respiratory specialist for persistent phlegmy coughs
- Consider lung function tests if the cough keeps coming back
When to See the Doctor
Here in Singapore, it’s easy to pop down to a clinic—so don’t wait too long if your cough seems suspicious. See a doctor if:
- Your cough lasts more than 3 weeks
- You’re coughing up blood
- You’ve got fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss
- You feel breathless, fatigued, or dizzy
Our mix of rain, air-con, spicy food, and allergens makes lingering coughs a pretty common thing. Most of the time, it’s harmless—but irritating. The good news is, there are simple remedies, and if needed, a clinic is never far away.
