Persistent Cough Plaguing People: What’s Behind It?
Tis the season for respiratory illnesses. With indoor gatherings and holiday festivities, cases of flu, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are surging across the country. But there’s been an added layer to this season’s illness woes: a stubborn, lingering cough affecting many. Anecdotal reports online, along with observations from doctors, suggest that this cough is particularly persistent, lasting weeks, if not months.
“Everyone seems to have “a hacking cough that’s been going on for weeks,” one TikTok user shared, echoing the sentiments of many.
Doctors across the nation are noticing this trend. Dr. Scott Braunstein, a double-board certified internal medicine and emergency medicine physician and the national medical director of Sollis Health, told HuffPost, “We have been seeing an unusually large number of patients who had typical viral upper respiratory infections, but have had a lingering cough that has lasted weeks to months.”
While the culprit remains elusive, experts believe this isn’t related to the flu, COVID-19, or RSV. Dr. Janet O’Mahony, an internal medicine physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, has seen a surge of patients presenting with this persistent cough, accompanied by sinus congestion, sore throat, and post-nasal drip. “This chest cold has a real junky and persistent cough,” O’Mahony explained. These patients test negative for flu and COVID, and antibiotics, usually effective against bacterial infections, haven’t offered relief, suggesting a viral cause.
Dr. O’Mahony suspects common cold viruses, rhinoviruses, non-COVID coronaviruses, or adenoviruses, are likely responsible.
Dr. Theodore Strange, an internal medicine physician with Northwell Health, highlights that primary care doctors and urgent care clinics don’t routinely test for these viruses unless a patient is hospitalized due to severe symptoms. Further testing is needed to definitively pinpoint the cause.
These viruses, however, typically cause flu-like symptoms that can linger. According to the Cleveland Clinic, viruses entering our airways infect cells, replicating and triggering inflammation. This inflammation, particularly in the throat, nose, and chest, takes time to subside. Dr. Braunstein believes the lingering cough stems from prolonged airway inflammation. Even after the virus clears, the body continues producing mucus and experiencing bronchospasms, where airway muscles tighten, causing coughing. He notes this inflammation can persist anywhere from two weeks to two months.
How contagious are you if you’re coughing for weeks?
This persistent cough, regardless of its specific cause, can raise concerns about contagiousness. If you’re experiencing prolonged coughing, consult your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for your health and to minimize the spread of potential infection.
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