Colds are common in the winter, and most of us expect the symptoms of the cold to disappear after recovering from them, but in many cases the cough may continue for a long period after the infection is eliminated. Should we be worried in this case?
In a report published by the Russian website “Heroin”, writer Anastasia Pliskaneva reviewed the most prominent reasons that may contribute to the continuation of coughing after recovering from a cold, including those related to the respiratory system, and others related to unhealthy daily habits.
1- Postnasal drip
According to the author, postnasal drip – which is the descent of nasal secretions from the back area of the nose to the throat – is on the list of possible causes of persistent coughing, and this condition occurs as a result of mucus collecting and flowing on the back wall of the throat.
She explained that the body secretes more mucus during a cold as a mechanism to combat the disease, but the sinuses may remain full even after recovery, which leads to the emergence of this syndrome.
One of the signs that a persistent cough is related to this condition is feeling the need to cough at night or when lying down for long periods. Other signs include throat irritation, a frequent need to swallow, a deep voice, an urge to clear the throat, bad breath, and a feeling of nausea.
2- Irritation of the respiratory tract
Viral infections cause an inflammatory response, one of the mechanisms the body uses to fight disease, which leads to irritation of the airways.
Irritation of the mucous membranes may continue for a long time after recovery from the cold, as a result of the inflammatory response continuing for a longer period, and leads to the continuation of the cough despite the improvement in health condition.
3- Lack of comfort
The body’s need for more rest may be one of the reasons for a persistent cough, as the immune system works very hard during a viral infection, and recovery depends not only on medications, but also on a healthy lifestyle.
If the patient continues to go to work or perform daily tasks without getting enough rest, this may prolong the duration of the cough.
4- Using cold medicines without a prescription
Some over-the-counter cold medications may contribute to prolonging the duration of coughing, as antihistamines or anti-inflammatory medications provide temporary relief from nasal congestion and runny nose, but they may increase the thickness of the mucus, making it difficult to get rid of it.
The accumulation of mucus in turn leads to postnasal drip that stimulates coughing, so it is best to avoid self-treatment even in simple cold cases, and consulting a doctor is the best option to recover without unwanted consequences.
5- Other chronic diseases
A cough may be a sign of more serious health problems, such as allergies that cause throat irritation, runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing. Laryngopharyngeal reflux can also cause irritation of the vocal cords and coughing, and is known as “silent” reflux because it is not accompanied by familiar reflux symptoms such as heartburn.
Also, a persistent cough for more than 4 weeks may be the result of a reactive respiratory disease, and shows symptoms similar to asthma such as shortness of breath, a whistling sound, and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
It is necessary to consult a doctor if the cough continues for more than two weeks after recovering from the cold, to ensure that there are no other diseases.
6- Weak immune system
A weak immune system makes the body less able to fight infections and viruses effectively, causing symptoms such as cough and runny nose to last longer.
Failure to fully recover, even after a week or more of rest, may be an indication of weak immunity, which means the necessity of strengthening immunity to maintain health.
7- Secondary infection
A persistent cough after a cold may be a sign of a secondary bacterial infection. Accompanying symptoms in this case include high temperature, chest pain, or phlegm secretion, which requires a visit to the doctor to avoid any complications.
8- Smoking
Smoking contributes greatly to the worsening of cold symptoms and delayed recovery, as the lungs suffer from infection, in addition to the damage caused by smoking, which in some cases leads to the development of pneumonia.
Abstaining from smoking during illness may reduce the risk of a prolonged cough.
9- Taking medications not related to cold treatment
Some medications not associated with treating the common cold — such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure — may cause a dry cough, which can persist or get worse during and after a cold.
If there is a suspicion that medications are the cause of your persistent cough, it is necessary to consult a doctor before stopping taking them. Your doctor may suggest dosage adjustments or alternatives that support health without annoying side effects.