Will a persistent cough show up on a chest X-ray?

Answer by  Manda (1103)

No, a persistent cough will NOT show up on a chest xray. Xrays will only show if there is a broken bone or a bone deformity or something. Persistent coughs do not affect the bone and thus does not show up on xrays.

Answer by  Diddum (348)

It depends on the cause: if the cough is caused by lung cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, fungal infection, septic emboli, or pleurisy, it will probably show up on a chest X-ray. If the cough is caused by a bronchial infection or by an allergy probably it will not show up.

Answer by  John (9008)

It might or might not appear, depending upon the cause of the cough. A cough that is caused by chest inflammation or congestion will probably appear. A cough caused by some lung diseases might be identifiable from an x-ray, as well. Coughs that happen for other reasons, such as allergies, will probably not appear, however.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

A persistent cough will not show up in X-ray, but it's cause might. An X-ray can show excess mucus from TB or walking pneumonia. It will show if you have emphysema or lung cancer, which can also cause coughing.