"My husband calls it the ‘machine gun cough’ because it's rapid and continues for longer than you would like," she said. "You can pull your back from coughing too much and I have broken ribs ...

A persistent cough can be a sign of a more serious illness, which is why it's important to get it checked by a doctor.

chest infections that keep coming back, coughing up blood, an ache or pain when breathing or coughing, persistent breathlessness, persistent tiredness or lack of energy, and/or a loss of appetite ...