Why do colds/flu/bugs seem to end with an annoying cough that lasts for ages?
In: Biology
Possibly unrelated question: if a vaccine for the Coronavirus is develop, could this lead to the cure for the “common cold”?
I was diagnosed with a mild version of asthma, “cough variant asthma.” As far as I can tell it’s basically my trachea or whatever is more sensitive. But this after illness dry irritated cough bullshit would go on for 2-3 months after spring allergy season.
Albuterol and advair fixed it. I did fail the methacholine test though.
If you live in or have lived the Southwest and have a lingering dry cough, it could be Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis). Discuss with your doctor.
Coughing irritates the lungs and airways which causes more coughing.
Secondary infections are also common.
Thanks for bringing this up OP and others for the answers. I had flu in December of last year and after that cleared up I suddenly got laringytis, then that cleared but I still have an annoying persistent cough. Makes much more sense now.
Apparently lots of people susceptible to catching “colds” also have acid reflux. The nasal congestion, mucus, etc cause this to flair up and the lingering cough may be a sign of the acid reflux acting up. Taking OTC medications — such as Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec — can help. It did for me, even though I really didn’t have other “heartburn” symptoms. Reading some of the other very helpful answers makes me think that there are several things going on and it is very easy to have different ones after different colds.
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