The main difference between dry cough and cough with sputum is the difference in etiology. Dry cough means cough without sputum, and the causative factors include physical factors such as accidental inhalation of foreign bodies, chemical factors such as inhalation of chemical gases, colds, etc. A cough with sputum is also called a wet cough in Chinese medicine. The cough is caused by irritation in the throat and tracheal ridge, which are more sensitive parts of the cough, but with less sputum.