Does the potato trick cure the flu?/LauraKathleen
Still coughing weeks after getting sick and seemingly recovered?
Who does not.
A recent study found that a prolonged cough after an illness is a fairly common condition that affects about 11 to 25 percent of adults after some of the well-known winter illnesses that affect the respiratory tract.
Post-infectious cough or post-viral cough is a subacute cough that lasts anywhere from three to eight weeks.
"The previous infection causes a sort of inflammatory 'cascade', increasing bronchial sensitivity and mucus production while reducing mucus clearance," according to researchers from a study recently published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
A cough is classified as post-infectious if the patient has had a previous respiratory infection and there are no other concerning findings on physical examination, including conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Coughing woman/ShutterStock
How to deal with a persistent cough?
"Most of the time the cough will go away on its own without any medication or treatment, but it can last much longer than you think," said study author and family physician Dr. Kevin Liang. The
researchers noted that studies have shown a lack of clear evidence supporting the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators and medications By mouth in the treatment of cough after infections.
Most studies have shown that the cough tends to get better on its own without any medication. Besides the fact that these drugs can have side effects and cost money, using inhalers also releases gases that contribute to climate change, the researchers said.
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When to check it?
Still, any cough that lasts more than eight weeks is considered chronic and needs further evaluation to rule out conditions like asthma or COPD.
It also concerns when there are signs such as hemoptysis (coughing up blood), systemic symptoms (such as fever, chills and body aches), difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath or hoarseness.
In such cases, further investigation is necessary, usually involving a chest X-ray.
People with recurrent pneumonia or a long history of smoking should seek medical attention if they experience a persistent cough.
"It is important for patients to know that a cough after an infectious disease is time-limited and self-resolution can reduce unnecessary prescriptions, including antibiotics. Doctors should advise patients to schedule a follow-up appointment for continued treatment if their cough has not gone away within 8 weeks or if it is new and symptoms appear," the researchers wrote.
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