Why do colds/flu/bugs seem to end with an annoying cough that lasts for ages?
In: Biology
My cold was four weeks ago and I’m still coughing up 6 loogies a day – when will it end?!?!
Last spring I had a cough that lasted 6 weeks after a viral sickness, it was a dry cough and the Dr said it could last up to 3 months. He prescribed a medication to numb the lung/airways because the cough was irritating the lungs causing me to continue coughing… self perpetual loop. One week on the prescription and I was perfectly fine.
Medicine was Benzonatate Cap 100MG
This is partially due to the fact the airways are still irritated from the effects of the illness, and partially because the flu weakens the immune system and allows additional infections.
It is, in fact, relatively common for more vulnerable people to develop bronchitis or pneumonia after a flu. This is why almost every source you ask about flu symptoms will tell you to see a doctor if your cough lasts too long, or if your fever disappears for a day or two and then comes back.
Coughing is meant to clear your airways. You produce excess mucus when you’re sick, and it lingers after you defeat the big. So your cough lingers to help clear that excess mucus. It’s quite efficient actually!
When you’re ill, your body makes mucus to clear the cell lining of bacteria and viruses. Once it does its job and that harmful bacteria/virus is gone, your body no longer needs the excess mucus. Coughing is the most efficient way of getting it out.
A lingering cough is usually just a side-effect from your body recovering from the sickness. This is caused by irritated airways or leftover mucus.
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