As the holiday season approaches, a mysterious persistent cough is spreading globally, leaving experts scratching their heads. But what’s behind this sudden surge in hacking coughs that just won’t quit?
The Persistent Cough Epidemic: What Experts Are Saying
As we head into the holiday season, a growing number of people are experiencing a persistent cough that’s been lingering for weeks or even months. Doctors across the country have noticed an uptick in cases of a hacking cough that just won’t quit.
What’s Behind the Persistent Cough?
While it may seem like everyone has come down with a bad cold, experts say that this is not necessarily the case. “We’ve been seeing an unusually large number of patients who had typical viral upper respiratory infections, but have had a lingering cough that has lasted weeks to months,” Dr. Scott Braunstein, a double-board certified internal medicine and emergency medicine physician, told HuffPost.
According to Dr. Janet O’Mahony, an internal medicine physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, many of these cases are likely due to prolonged inflammation in the airways. “Even after the virus is gone, the body continues to produce mucus and have bronchospasms, which can persist anywhere from two weeks to two months,” she explained.
How Long Are You Contagious?
With upper respiratory infections, it’s difficult to determine exactly how long people are contagious for. According to Dr. Strange, people are likely extremely contagious in the 24 hours before symptoms take hold, and may remain contagious for a few days after that. “In general, people remain contagious for approximately five to seven days,” he said.
How to Treat Your Cough
If you’re experiencing persistent coughing, it’s a good idea to test yourself for the flu and COVID-19. Both of these illnesses are on the rise, and can be mistaken for the common cold. “Both have cough, both can have sore throat,” Dr. O’Mahony said.
If you test negative for the flu and COVID-19, it’s still worth checking in with a healthcare provider to get advice on how to recover. Your provider may recommend rest, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter medications like Mucinex DM and Robitussin DM (as long as you don’t have any contraindications). They may also prescribe medications, such as cough medicines or corticosteroids, which can improve symptoms by reducing inflammation in the airways.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If your symptoms persist for a couple of weeks, it’s essential to continue following up with your physician. Some serious bacterial infections, including mycoplasma (aka walking pneumonia), legionella, and pneunococcal pneumonia, can cause a hacking cough. If your doctor suspects any of these, they can run tests and prescribe the appropriate antibiotics.
In addition, some people may develop a secondary bacterial or new viral infection, according to Dr. Braunstein. Warning signs of this include a new fever and darker or more severe phlegm.
Preventing the Spread of Illness
To avoid spreading your cough to others, it’s essential to practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when you cough, and stay indoors until you feel better if you’re really sick. By taking these precautions, you can help keep yourself and those around you healthy this cold and flu season.
