Why the Winter Cough Just Doesn’t Go Away and When To Worry

Everything you ever wanted to know about coughs so that you can silence them for good.

It’s the season of nasty coughs and runny noses. If the nagging cough has been disrupting your work and sleep and life in general, scroll below to learn the possible reasons so you get well soon! (Photo: iStock)

There’s some sort of a lingering coughing illness in the air. Like the Vodafone puppy, the jarring cacophony of dry, throat-clearing, chesty coughs follows you wherever you go this season.

My child cleared it after the three-week mark, I’ve been whooping for over a month and have learnt to sleep with three pillows in an upright position. And everyone around seems to be fatigued with an epically long case of barking cough, the one which innocently started with just a torturous stuffy nose.

Doctors say, a persistent cough is the most common winter complaint, especially in children. In most cases, it’s a viral infection but it’s important to figure out the reasons and know when to really worry.

Why the Cough Plagues

“3 hafto se zada khaasi, yeh TB (tuberculosis) ho sakti hai” - the popular TB commercial has been playing in loop on my mind (even though my doctor assures it’s a viral infection which will wear off soon) as I lose hope of a cough-free life.

A cough in itself is not an illness and it’s the body’s reflex response to any irritation in the chest or lungs. According to a recent study done in Georgia, scientists found that the average duration of a regular, viral cough is roughly 18 days.

When a cough doesn’t seem to get better, pay attention to the pattern and sound of coughing - is it the barking cough or the whooping cough, or the wheezing kind which keeps you up at night? Doctors emphasize that a dry cough is less worrisome than a wet cough, especially in kids.

So when should you worry about a persistent cough?

a) One that lasts more than four weeks. Sometimes, as in my case, this too can be harmless. There can be a repeat viral infection which seems like one really long illness. Trust the doctor if you’re otherwise well and the episode started with a cold or flu.

b) You don’t smoke, the cough came from nowhere (no accompanying cold/viral fever) and has been around for more than three weeks. You’ve done the desi remedies, khaada and chicken soup, yet it refuses to leave.

c) According to experts, more than 90% of persistent coughs are caused by three major reasons, discussed below. If your doctor suspects none of these, it could be tuberculosis, pneumonia, COPD, or even lung cancer.

Related Read: The Smoker’s Cough Can Kill You! Another Reason to Quit Smoking

Three Main Reasons For Chronic Cough

1. Bronchitis

Recovery will usually take at least 20 days. (Photo: Nikita Mishra/The Quint)

With the changing nature of illnesses, in the winter months bronchitis is sometimes viral and not bacterial. And antibiotics when there’s a viral load are just placebos. Avoid. Unless your doctor prescribes them after checking your symptoms.

Kids with a wet cough for more than two-weeks and heavy breathing usually develop bacterial bronchitis and need antibiotics to cure it.

2. Acid Reflux Disease

If your doctor suspects acid refulx, cut down on caffeine, alcohol and all forms of junk food. (Photo: Nikita Mishra/The Quint)

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is not just acidity and heartburn. Sometimes, it is also just the persistent cough after a meal which is the worst in the night or whenever you lie down.

3. Asthma

Extensive spirometry or the lung capacity tests will be carried out by the doctor along with a chest X-ray before pronouncing the illness. Inhalers will be prescribed to open up the constricted air passages. (Photo: Nikita Mishra/The Quint)

A medical thumb rule for a lingering cough of more than three weeks - a wet cough indicates bronchitis; a dry episode with shortness of breath could mean asthma or the start of it, especially in kids.

So if you have a wheezing cough that keeps you up at night, see a doctor immediately.

Cough Medicines/Syrups Won’t Cure You

That’s a bitter pill to swallow but extensive research, the latest by the National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom has found that there is “no evidence” to support that cough syrups work or “reduce the duration of the illness”. It further says, “There’s no quick way of getting rid of a cough caused by a viral infection. It will clear up only after your immune system has fought off the virus.”

Sure, you do feel better after a doze or two, that’s because they mostly contain paracetamol - that will ease the aching head and the hurting throat. And if there is some antihistamine in it, the runny nose and watery eyes will soothe. But if you really want to help your irritated cough, good old, kaadha or ginger honey tea with ample amount of sleep works best.

Also Read: Beware! Googling Your Symptoms Might Be Making You Sicker