Why are so many people coughing right now and what can you do?

Anyone who has used social media in the past few months has likely seen anecdotal reports of persistent coughs going around.

In a viral video, one TikTok user described it as a “dry cough” that lasted for weeks. Another one on TikTok said in a December viral video causing many New York City residents to have dry coughs.

Several VERIFY readers across the US have asked us questions about this persistent cough, including whether a new illness is causing it. Here are five VERIFIED facts about persistent coughs.

Three doctors who spoke to VERIFY all said medical experts do not believe any new virus or disease is responsible for the persistent cough some people have had in recent months. .

Instead of, Existing respiratory viruses can cause prolonged coughingsuch as common cold, flu, reply and COVID-19, may be the cause. These viruses often circulate more frequently during the fall and winter months.

Todd Florin, a pediatric emergency physician and associate professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, told VERIFY that he has not seen “any evidence of a new virus or a more serious strain.” Can cause continuous coughing.

Payal Kohli, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Colorado, added: “In the medical community, we do not believe that this persistent cough is the result of a new virus or a new condition or a new disease”. .

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Coughs that persist after a cold or other respiratory infection are called “post-infectious or post-viral coughs.” UCLA Health explains in an article. They are not a new phenomenon, says Kohli.

According to Kohli and UCLA Health, these coughs can last 3 to 8 weeks after being infected with the virus.

Two of the most common causes of post-infectious cough include post-nasal drip, when mucus drains into your throat, or swelling of the airways related to a respiratory infection, say Kohli and UCLA Health. initial.

A persistent cough can also be related to another infection that’s going on while your immune system is still recovering from it, says Albert Rizzo, MD, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association. first infection.

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A persistent cough will usually go away on its own as postnasal drip and inflammation decrease, says Kohli.

However, if your cough is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s time to see a doctor.

According to Kohli, Rizzo and UCLA Health, those symptoms include: difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood or thick yellow or green mucus and persistent fever, body aches, chills, changes in speech taste or difficulty swallowing.

This could be signs of pneumonia or another more serious illness.

Treatment of pneumonia depends on on the type you havehow sick you feel, your age and whether you have other health conditions, The American Lung Association said. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics if the pneumonia is caused by bacteria, and some people with viral pneumonia may be given antiviral medications.

UCLA Health also recommends making an appointment with your doctor if your cough is still affecting your ability to sleep or go to work after several weeks.

“Your symptoms will not get worse,” Russell Buhr, M.D., Ph.D., a pulmonary and critical care physician with UCLA Health, said in the article. “You will see improvement over time.”

Respiratory infections aren’t the only culprits that cause constant coughing.

You should see your doctor if your cough doesn’t improve after eight weeks, Rizzo says, because it could be a symptom of undiagnosed lung disease or other health conditions.

Chronic cough can be caused by asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and certain blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors, among other health conditions. other, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Some people may also have an “unidentifiable chronic cough” with no known cause, Rizzo said. In that case, your doctor may suggest trying antihistamines, decongestants, or other medications to treat your cough.

There are several ways to treat a lingering cough after an illness with home remedies and over-the-counter medications.

Kohli says staying hydrated can help reduce persistent coughing, as dry mucous membranes or airways are more likely to trigger your cough receptors.

A humidifier can provide extra moisture to help soothe your throat and nasal passages. Instead, you can also place a steaming cup of water or tea under your face, says UCLA Health.

Cough medicine or throat lozenges can also help soothe a sore throat and clear nasal passages.

Kohli and Rizzo do not recommend using cough suppressants unless a person has a severe cough that prevents them from sleeping.

“We don’t want any secretions that are in the lungs to get trapped in there. We really want to try to cough them up,” said Kohli.

Your doctor may also prescribe prescription nasal sprays to treat persistent nasal drip or steroid inhalers to help clear residual inflammation in the lungs, says UCLA Health.

This story is also available in Spanish / Lee este artículo también en español:¿Tienes una tos que no se te quita? Aquí lo que podemos verificar

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