Mystery Cough Lingers: Doctors Warn of Irritated Airways

Many individuals are experiencing a persistent cough that lingers for weeks or even months, causing significant discomfort. This prolonged cough often occurs without accompanying symptoms like fever or weight loss. Medical experts indicate that airways can remain inflamed and hypersensitive for up to six weeks following an infection.

Air pollution is identified as a key factor that can worsen these sensitive airways, triggering or prolonging coughing fits. It is crucial to understand that antibiotics are not effective against viral infections or general airway inflammation, making repeat antibiotic treatments for such persistent coughs ineffective.

Doctors advise that a cough lasting over two weeks warrants medical attention. Other potential causes for a nagging cough include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergic conditions, tuberculosis, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Vocal cord dysfunction, sometimes in conjunction with asthma, can also lead to cough and voice loss, requiring consultation with an ENT specialist or pulmonologist.

Prompt medical evaluation is recommended, especially if the cough is accompanied by weight loss, fever, night sweats, or blood in the sputum, which could indicate tuberculosis. Wheezing or nighttime recurrence might suggest asthma, including cough-variant asthma. Breathlessness or chest pain necessitates immediate medical care.