To determine the duration of cough in patients without pre-existing respiratory problems presenting to general practitioners with acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).Patients without chronic chest problems who presented to two general practices with an URTI during the winter of 1999 were surveyed to assess the duration of cough.One hundred and seventy-nine patients were recruited, of whom 131 could be followed until their cough ceased. Of these, 93% developed a cough, 78% coughed for at least one week, 58% for at least two weeks, 35% for three weeks, and one continued into the tenth week.The acute cough associated with an URTI often continues for several weeks. There may be benefits from educating the community and medical profession about this natural history.