During the fall and winter, experiencing a cough is very common. A cough can be a common symptom of various respiratory illnesses, but understanding whether your cough is contagious is important for preventing the spread of infection. The period of time that a cough is contagious depends on the underlying cause. Many different conditions can lead to a cough, however, respiratory infections such as the flu, the common cold, or COVID-19 are very common causes ...