During an asthma attack, what type of cough is typically observed initially?

During an asthma attack, the initial cough that is typically observed is tight but non-productive. This type of cough is often associated with the bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation that characterize asthma. The tightness in the cough can indicate that the airways are constricted, making it difficult for air to flow freely and resulting in a cough that does not bring up mucus or phlegm. This non-productive cough reflects the respiratory distress and irritation of the airways that occur during an asthma exacerbation.

In contrast, other types of cough such as loose and productive or frequent and wet are more characteristic of conditions involving effective mucus clearance, such as in bronchitis or pneumonia, rather than the dry bronchi typical of an asthma attack. Similarly, a dry and irritating cough may eventually occur, but it does not accurately capture the initial presentation seen in asthma attacks, where patients experience tightness and non-productivity as they struggle to breathe.