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Cough is the common symptom of patients who seek medical attention; chronic cough being defined as persistent cough longer than three weeks without a definite diagnosis. Cough is a vagal phenomenon which can be initiated in structures with afferences of the vagus or its branches; besides, cough receptors have been described in different parts of the body, mainly tracheobronchial and digestive tract structures, which send afferents to the central nervous system to form the cough reflex. Main causes of chronic cough are retronasal discharge syndrome, gastroesophagic reflux and asthma. The diagnosis of chronic cough requires a careful history and physical examination and paraclinic tests focused on the most frequent causes. Treatment is oriented to identify and correct the disease; anticough medication should be used carefully since cough is a defense mechanism and an alarm sign. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]