Is a lingering cough after a cold normal?

Jun 06, 2023

Common colds and viral infections typically clear up in seven to 10 days. But for one in four adults, a cough can stick around long after other cold symptoms clear up. It may leave you wondering if you should seek medical care, whether you’re still contagious or if there's an underlying issue.

"It can take the body time to clear out inflammation that occurs from an upper respiratory infection," says Russell Buhr, MD, PhD, a UCLA Health pulmonary and critical care physician. "But being proactive and knowing what to expect can put your mind at ease."

What causes a lingering cough after a cold?

Coughs that persist after a common cold or other upper respiratory infection are called post-infectious or post-viral coughs. They can linger for three to eight weeks after a viral infection.

There are two common causes of a post-viral cough in adults:

Postnasal drip during the day can irritate your throat and vocal cords. But Dr. Buhr says nighttime makes it much worse. "When you’re lying flat at night, mucus runs down the back of your throat and into your lungs," he says. "It can cause chest congestion that needs to be coughed up. When mucus travels down your throat, it can also cause irritation and inflammation, making you cough."

Most coughs following an upper respiratory infection are caused by the infection itself. But in some cases, the persistent cough may be a symptom of pre-existing asthma (made worse on by the recent virus) or a secondary infection that took hold while your immune system was distracted.

When to seek medical care for a post-viral cough

Cold-related coughs can last for up to eight weeks. The good news is that you’re typically only contagious for the first three to five days of the initial respiratory infection, says Dr. Buhr.

A lingering cough will usually clear up on its own as postnasal drip improves and inflammation decreases. But you should see your primary care physician (PCP) about a lingering cough if you develop what Dr. Buhr calls "red flag symptoms," which include:

Dr. Buhr recommends that adults with heart or lung issues see their PCP with any upper respiratory infection, especially if it lingers. You may also want to make an appointment if, after a couple of weeks, your cough still interferes with your ability to sleep or go to work. "Your symptoms shouldn't worsen," Dr. Buhr says. "You should see improvement over time."

Other causes of persistent cough

Most of the time, when people seek medical care for an ongoing cough, it's associated with a prior respiratory infection. But your health care provider may want to rule out other conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms.

"The first thing I ask adults when they present with a persistent cough is if they remember being sick right before the cough started," Dr. Buhr says. "And probably 60% to 70% of the time, that cold or infection is the cause of the cough. But we want to ensure we’re not missing an alternative diagnosis."

Other contributors to persistent cough include:

"If you have other medical issues, especially asthma or reflux, a cold could act as a trigger," Dr. Buhr says, "and both the cold and your pre-existing condition could be contributing to the cough."

How to treat a persistent cough after a cold

During the first few weeks following a cold, you can treat lingering coughs with home remedies and over the counter (OTC) medication:

If your symptoms continue beyond a few weeks and nothing seems to be helping, your PCP may recommend a:

If you have a lingering cough, reach out to your primary care physician.

Source: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/lingering-cough-after-cold-normal

From staff reports It's one of the most noble pursuits in medicine – nursing – and

From staff reports To assist patients with Medicaid health coverage who are now facing the process

By Courtney McDermott Special to The Island News Valentine's Day in 2021 was no ordinary occasion

What's the deal with warm weather sniffles? In the Lowcountry, people always like to get outside

Now that summer is here, you may be wondering if you need to update your skincare