During winter, colds are common, and most people anticipate that symptoms will subside after recovery. However, it’s not unusual for a cough to linger long after the infection clears. Should this be a cause for concern?
A report published by the Russian website ‘Heroin’ and shared by Al Jazeera Net highlighted 9 key reasons why a cough may persist after recovering from a cold.
Experts suggest that while most cases of prolonged coughing are harmless and linked to residual inflammation or heightened airway sensitivity, it’s essential to monitor the cough.
1- Postnasal Drip
Postnasal drip – the dripping of nasal secretions from the back of the nose into the throat – is one of the possible causes of a persistent cough. This condition occurs when mucus collects and runs down the back of the throat.
During a cold, the body secretes more mucus as a mechanism to fight the disease, but the sinuses may remain full even after recovery, leading to the appearance of this syndrome.
One sign that a persistent cough is related to this condition is feeling the need to cough at night or when lying down for long periods.
Other signs include throat irritation, frequent need to swallow, hoarseness, the urge to clear throat, bad breath, and nausea.
2- Bronchial Irritation
Viral infections cause an inflammatory response, one of the mechanisms the body uses to fight disease, which irritates the airways.
Irritation of the mucous membranes may persist for a long time after recovering from a cold, as a result of the inflammatory response continuing for a longer period. This leads to a persistent cough despite an improvement in health condition.
3- Lack of Rest
The body’s need for more rest may be one of the reasons for the persistent cough, as the immune system works very hard during a viral infection. As the recovery depends not only on medications but also on a healthy lifestyle.
If a patient continues to work or perform daily tasks, without getting enough rest, this may lead to a longer cough.
4- Using Cold Medicines without a Prescription
Some over-the-counter medications for cold may prolong cough. Antihistamines or anti-inflammatory medications provide temporary relief from nasal congestion and runny nose, but they can thicken mucus, making it harder to clear.
The accumulation of mucus in turn leads to postnasal drip, which stimulates coughing. Hence it is better to avoid self-medication even in cases of simple colds. Rather consulting a doctor is the best option for recovery without unwanted consequences.
5- Other Chronic Diseases
Coughing can be a sign of more serious health problems, such as allergies that cause throat irritation, runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux can also cause vocal cord irritation and coughing, and is known as ‘silent’ reflux because it doesn’t have the usual reflux symptoms, such as heartburn.
A cough that lasts for more than 4 weeks may be caused by a reactive respiratory disease, and shows symptoms similar to asthma. These are shortness of breath, wheezing, and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
Consulting a doctor is necessary if the cough persists for more than two weeks after recovering from the cold, to ensure that there are no other diseases.
6- Weak Immune System
A weakened immune system makes the body less able to fight infections and viruses effectively, causing symptoms such as coughing and runny nose, to last longer.
Failure to fully recover, even after a week or more of rest, may be an indication of weak immunity, which means that it is necessary to boost immunity to maintain health.
7- Secondary Infection
A persistent cough after a cold may be a sign of a secondary bacterial infection.
Symptoms include fever, chest pain, or phlegm, which requires a visit to the doctor to avoid any complications.
8 – Smoking
Smoking greatly contributes to the aggravation of cold symptoms and delayed recovery, as the lungs suffer from infection, in addition to the damage caused by smoking. In some cases this leads to the development of pneumonia.
Refraining from smoking while sick, may reduce the risk of a prolonged cough.
9- Taking Medications not related to Cold Treatment
Some medications not related to treating colds such as ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure, can cause a dry cough. This can last or get worse during, and after a cold.
If there are doubts that medications are the cause of persistent cough, then it is important to consult the doctor before stopping them.
The doctor may suggest dosage adjustments or alternatives that support health without any unpleasant side effects.
