<s>[INST] My wife has had a terrible cough since Oct of last year. Chest x ray came back normal and the doctors have given her steroids which help but when done it starts back up again. They say it is a respiratory infection, what is the cure, she does not smoke and hasn t since 2005 [/INST] Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. In my opinion you should consult pulmonologist first. As chronic cough needs PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) for diagnosis. In my opinion, since your wife has been responded with oral steroids, she may have chronic bronchitis. So PFT is needed for the diagnosis. So get done PFT. Oral steroids are indicated only in few cases of chronic bronchitis.  So better to avoid it. Start inhaled corticosteroids and long acting beta 2 agonists for better control. So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. </s>