A cough is a common reflex action that clears the throat of mucus or foreign irritants. It may be caused by a number of factors, such as a cold, flu, smoking, or other health conditions like asthma, tuberculosis, and lung cancer. Chronic coughs can be a sign of a serious condition. In general, a cough that persists for weeks is usually the result of a medical problem. In many cases, more than one cause is found.