Have you been checked for Reflux? Chronic cough is a classic symptom.

I have a co-worker who recently had the misfortune of catching the upper respiratory bug or flu that was going around. She's had the worse cough of all of us who were sick. She's coughed a lot and sure it can annoy me, but when I begin to feel annoyed, I just remind myself that it's far more annoying for her!

I'm sorry your co-worker said something so thoughtless.