Many different illnesses can lead to a cough. If you’re sick with a cough and are wondering why your cough seems to be lasting longer than your other symptoms, you’re not alone. Lingering coughs can be frustrating and can last up to 8 weeks with no additional symptoms. In most cases, long-lasting coughs that linger after all other illness symptoms have passed are not contagious. If you’re experiencing a lingering cough that ...