What does a persistent cough mean?
One in four adults can have a persistent cough long after having a viral infection or common cold.
Is it something to worry about, especially if you are over 50 years of age?
Normally, it takes seven to 10 days for a cold to totally disappear. However, there is a reason why a persistent cough may continue for longer – up to eight weeks.
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.
The cause of a persistent cough are:
- Mucus drains into your throat, and,
- Inflammation, or swollen airways, related to the initial respiratory infection.
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 nagging cough
Dr. Buhr calls them “red flag symptoms”:
- Coughing up blood, or any change in the colour, thickness or texture of the fluid or droplets your cough produces;
- Increased frequency or strength of your cough, and
- Ongoing systemic symptoms, such as fever, body aches, chills, changes in appetite or difficulty swallowing.
“The first thing I ask adults when they present with a persistent cough is if they remember being sick right before the cough started,” he said. “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.”
