Docs say patience and time might be your best bet.
Lingering coughs after an infection are pretty common. And how can one get rid of one then? Well, according to some docs writing for the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), you might just have to wait it out.
Dr. Kevin Liang, a family physician from Vancouver and one of the authors of the CMAJ article, says most of the time, these coughs go away on their own. But sometimes they stick around longer than expected.
People often worry that their persistent cough means their initial infection is still hanging around. But usually, that's not the case. What's happening is that the infection sets off a chain reaction in your body that makes you cough more.
This irritation in your airways can make you feel like you need to cough all the time. And unfortunately, there's no quick fix for this kind of cough.
Doctors used to split coughs into two groups: short-term and long-term. But now, they recognize a third group called "subacute" coughs, which last between three and eight weeks. These coughs are long enough to drive you nuts but usually short enough to go away on their own.
Research from nearly twenty years ago found that most subacute coughs are just the result of a recent infection, nothing more serious. But doctors still need to make sure there's no underlying issue causing the cough.
If a cough sticks around for more than eight weeks or comes with other symptoms like coughing up blood or difficulty breathing, that's a sign of a bigger problem that needs more attention.
Unfortunately, there's no magic cure for a lingering cough. Medications like inhalers or cough syrup might not help much and could even cause side effects. So, for now, it's mostly a waiting game.
In the meantime, propping yourself up with pillows at night might ease the coughing a bit. But ultimately, time is the best healer for a stubborn post-infection cough.
Q&A
Are lingering coughs common after an infection?
Yes, they are quite common, according to doctors who wrote for the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
How can one get rid of a lingering cough?
Most of the time, you just have to wait it out, says Dr. Kevin Liang, a family physician from Vancouver.
Why do some coughs stick around longer than expected?
Sometimes, the infection triggers a reaction in your body that makes you cough more, even after the infection is gone.
Do lingering coughs indicate that the initial infection is still present?
Not usually. It's more about the body's response to the infection rather than the infection itself.
How do doctors categorize coughs?
Previously, coughs were divided into short-term and long-term categories, but now there's a third group called "subacute" coughs.
What are "subacute" coughs?
These coughs last between three and eight weeks, long enough to be irritating but usually not a sign of a serious issue.
What did research from twenty years ago reveal about subacute coughs?
Most subacute coughs are just a result of the recent infection and not something more severe.
What should you do if your cough lasts more than eight weeks?
If your cough persists beyond eight weeks or comes with concerning symptoms like coughing up blood or difficulty breathing, it's essential to seek medical attention.
Are there any medications that can help with a lingering cough?
Medications like inhalers or cough syrup might not provide much relief and could even cause side effects.
What can you do to ease a lingering cough in the meantime?
Propping yourself up with pillows at night might help, but ultimately, time is the best remedy for a stubborn post-infection cough.