Information Did you know? What is a chesty cough? A cough is a reflex that clears the airways of secretions and irritants such as smoke, dust, and allergens. A cough can be classified as a dry or chesty cough.? A chest cough is a productive where there is mucus pr phlegm present. A chesty cough is most often caused by bacterial infections or mild upper respiratory tract infections (such as the common cold), however less common causes include coughs bought on by smoking.? ?Healthline 2019, What Causes a Dry Cough?, Accessed May 2021 ?Healthline 2018, What Illness or Conditions Cause a Wet Cough?, Accessed May 2021