You have recovered from COVID and are assuming yourself to be as healthy as you were earlier with all the COVID-related symptoms gone.
But the fact is, climbing stairs and walking extra steps still cause you to burst into coughing.
Research shows that approximately 33% of individuals have a chronic cough after COVID-19 for about six months once it has been started.
This means many individuals suffer from cough after recovering from COVID-19, and it can persist for four weeks to six months even after testing negative. This persistent cough after COVID-19 is called a lingering cough.
Why Does Lingering Cough Persist After COVID Gone?
The lingering cough after COVID occurs when the virus infects the upper respiratory tract, causing infection and inflammation.
Some Covid variants also attack the respiratory system more seriously than others. For instance, the Omicron variant affects the upper airways more than any other variant, as reported by the American Lung Association.
So here’s the thing! The most prevalent underlying reason for coughing after COVID-19 is inflammation of mucous membranes from the throat to the bronchial tubes. It affects the receptors in the breathing pipe. Once the virus attacks the receptors, the body starts its defense mechanism, causing inflammation and cough.
William Schaffner, MD, a Vanderbilt University School of Medicine professor, explains that inflammation takes some time to heal, so the coughing after COVID-19 prolongs until everything gets cleared.
Nonetheless, a cough is a good sign because it usually clears the debris in your airways that has piled up due to inflammation, such as dying cells and extra mucus.
What Causes The Persistent Cough After COVID?
Let’s dive deep into the underlying mechanisms and possible causes of chronic cough after COVID-19.
- When the virus penetrates the sensory nerves of respiratory airways, it triggers an inflammatory response, causing a dry cough.
- Post-nasal drip disturbs the throat and causes nose or upper airway inflammation which triggers cough.
- Swelling in the lungs or leftover mucus also results in a cough with phlegm.
- Other associated medical conditions, such as lung tissue scarring or asthma, start with a cough.
What Other Symptoms Occur After COVID-19?
Apart from chronic cough, you may also experience other symptoms that may go away within a few weeks. To our surprise, more than 200 symptoms have been associated with COVID-19 to date. Common symptoms include:
- Lightheadedness or feeling dizzy
- Extreme tiredness
- Problems with memory
- Headache
- Inability to taste or smell
- Digestion problems such as bloating or constipation
Types of Cough You May Experience After COVID-19
The type of cough people experience after COVID varies—it can be wet, dry, or somewhere in between.
- Wet cough is usually known as productive cough with phlegm.
- Dry cough, also known as unproductive cough, is always without phlegm.
Approximately 70% of infected individuals suffer from dry cough in the initial stages of infection. Others have wet cough, and you may even have both.
Some Common Ways To Alleviate Wet And Dry Cough At Home
A lingering cough can be frustrating, but the good news is it doesn’t always call for medication. Here are some common ways to get relief from a cough.
If you have a wet cough with mucus and phlegm, take these steps at home:
- Keep yourself hydrated.
- Inhale steam regularly.
- Practice breathing control techniques in case of shortness of breath.
- Breathing through your nose reduces coughing as it reduces the irritation to your throat.
If you have a dry cough, the following things can help you:
- Keep your throat hydrated with a small amount of water after little intervals.
- Soothe your dry and irritating throat with warm liquids.
- Use honey if your episodes of cough continue.
- Change your position if you have a cough on your bed.
- Keep yourself away from the smoky atmosphere and allergens disturbing your throat.
How Long Do Your Cough Last After COVID?
The duration of cough after COVID-19 varies depending upon the severity of illness.
Acute cough lasts for up to three weeks but in case of chronic cough, it can persist for three months or longer. In 2021, a report showed that a cough lasted for 11 months in 2.5% of COVID patients.
If the underlying conditions are not so complicated, the symptoms will go away by themselves or at-home remedies will be enough to get rid of the cough.
However, if the cough is associated with other complications, it needs to be evaluated and treated by a doctor.
Some Possible Complications Of Persistent Cough
If post COVID cough persists longer, it causes many complications like chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment, or chest pain, collectively known as Long COVID.
Persistent COVID cough may lead to:
- Interstitial lung disease: It is a complicated condition causing scars in the lungs, shortness of breath, and lingering cough.
- Autoimmune conditions: The destruction of immune cells starts an autoimmune response, resulting in an attack on healthy body cells. Thus, the immune system becomes weak.
- Asthma: A viral respiratory infection is a green signal for asthma. Cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness are major asthma symptoms.
Possible Treatment Options For COVID Cough
There are various treatments for post-COVID cough. But remember, only a doctor can prescribe the correct treatment based on your condition and symptoms.
The common treatment options include the following:
- Steroid inhalers help improve airway blockage and swelling.
- Expectorants and cough suppressants are another good way to help relieve non-stopping cough.
- Some other natural ways to keep cough in control and reduce discomfort are moistening the air tubes, controlled breathing techniques, nasal raisins, and cough suppression techniques.
How Can Urgent Care Help With Lingering Cough?
If that post-COVID cough sticks around for more than three months, it’s time to raise a red flag.
You need to discuss your symptoms with an experienced healthcare provider or a doctor as there may be other associated complications.
Do not panic! You can even visit our urgent care clinic for a complete check-up. Our healthcare providers would help you find the root cause of your cough and treat it right away.
We operate in multiple locations in Indiana and Illinois. Therefore, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you’re suffering from Covid or post-Covid symptoms.
