If you had a mild case of COVID-19 - with symptoms like a dry cough, sore throat and sometimes a mild case of pneumonia - you probably won't have lasting damage. Ryan NM, et al. So, if youre concerned about your cough or youre not sure if its related to a recent illness, consider seeing a doctor. You can treat a cough with a number of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Dicpinigaitis PV. The best medicine for a dry cough depends on the cause of the cough. Sip a soft drink (not fizzy) - take small sips, one after the other . You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. To gargle salt water, add half of a teaspoon (tsp) of salt to a cup of warm water and mix until it is dissolved. There is also some concern that menthol, which cools and numbs your throat, may actually worsen a lingering cough. Most coughs caused by inflammation related to infection are dry coughs that resolve in four weeks. Click here to toggle the visibility of the search bar. In about 5% of patients, a COVID cough can last about four weeks. If you have a persistent cough, you likely have mucus in your chest. Two words showed something was wrong with the system, After centuries of Murdaugh rule in the Deep South, the family's power ends with a life sentence for murder, Flooding in southern Malaysia forces 40,000 people to flee homes, Rare sighting of bird 'like Beyonce, Prince and Elvis all turning up at once', When Daniel picked up a dropped box on a busy road, he had no idea it would lead to the 'best present ever', Labor's pledge for mega koala park in south-west Sydney welcomed by conservation groups. Guaifenesin, another over-the-counter cough medicine, is found in Mucinex. If you are unable to tolerate the sedating effects of these medications, your healthcare provider may suggest a nasal spray like Astelin (azelastine), Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate), or Atrovent nasal spray (ipratropium bromide) to help with a lingering cough. Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor. Kun kytt sivustojamme ja sovelluksiamme, kytmme, tarjotaksemme sivustomme ja sovelluksemme sinulle, todentaaksemme kyttjt, estksemme roskapostia ja vrinkytksi sek toteuttaaksemme tietoturvatoimia. (2013). 4th ed. If COVID is suspected, diagnostic tests include: 2022 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved. Coronavirus disease 2019 in children United States, February 12April 2, 2020. There are also certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of post-infectious cough. Cough can persist for weeks or months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, often accompanied by chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment, dyspnoea, or paina collection of long-term effects referred to as the post-COVID syndrome or long COVID. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. The good news is that, when recovering from Covid and treating a lingering cough, over-the-counter medications such as cough suppressants and throat lozenges can be helpful. You should see someone sooner If your cough changes or gets worse, if you start coughing up more phlegm or have trouble breathing, or if you develop new fevers or other symptoms, Dr. Leykum says. | Romn Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. They usually contain the ingredient dextromethorphan. If the cause originates from inflammation in the lungs,controlled breathing exercisesand inhaled steam (in a hot shower or via a vaporiser) may help. Coughing is a socially awkward symptom, particularly since the COVID pandemic hit. PMID:29094873, Johnson D, Mead R, Kennelty K, Hahn D. Menthol cough drops: cause for concern? Limit your contact with other people. A lingering cough is no fun. And while it can be annoying, a lingering cough post-COVID is often a sign of healing because that's your lungs' way of clearing out dead cells, per the American Lung Association. Unless there is a secondary bacterial infection, antibiotics are not appropriate and may contribute to the development ofantibiotic resistance. When should you worry about a persistent cough? Sucking on a hard lozenge promotes saliva production that soothes the throat. A new study has looked into the neurological complications that COVID-19 can cause in some patients, including instances of brain inflammation. However, COVID-19 cough in hospital cases seems to be painful and dry, accompanied by lower blood oxygen levels and difficulty breathing without coughing. To help ease a cough, try having a teaspoon of honey. What may still take you by surprise, though, are the side effects that can linger for weeks after you've recovered. If youre still coughing after two months, make an appointment with a doctor. A post-infectious cough can significantly impact your quality of life. Recovering from long COVID Recovery from long COVID varies. Last medically reviewed on April 23, 2021, Headaches and migraine are possible symptoms of COVID-19. | Audio A dry cough is a common early symptom of COVID-19. Your healthcare provider will ask you questions about when your cold symptoms started, what they were, the characteristics of your current cough, and whether you have any other symptoms. Learn how COVID-19. Experts know much less about the prevalence or common presentation of a dry cough related to COVID-19 in children and young adults than with COVID-19 in adults. Drink warm water, herbal tea, broths, soups, etc to facilitate this. Next, they may do a physical examination and use a stethoscope to listen to your chest as you breathe in and out. In very severe cases, as well as chest pressure and shortness of breath in severe cases. If you have a lingering cough that lasts longer than a month, Dr. Leykum recommends seeing your healthcare provider. Encyclopedia of Microbiology. Concerningly, some countries haveguidelinesthat suggest using antibiotics to treat COVID, showing just how prevalent this misunderstanding is. Use a cool mist humidifier if the air in your home is very dry. Weston S, Frieman MB. This makes it easier to clear out with a cough. More recent studies, such as the one in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, have also found that a cough may continue for weeks to months after recovery from COVID-19. It's also sensible to try and avoid potential environmental irritants that may trigger or worsen a nagging cough, like dust or smoke. Monoclonal antibodies are not indicated for use in severe cases. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It rapidly spread globally infecting many individuals in many countries. 1 Gargle With Salt Water A simple way to ease a cough is with salt water. Terms of Use. | Espaol As such, it is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter medicines used to treat a dry cough. A cough is a reflex action to clear your airways of mucus and irritants such as dust or smoke. Can the dogs of Chernobyl teach us new tricks when it comes to survival? (2011). 1996-2023 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Stay 6 feet (2 meters) away from people who are not in ones household. Take cough drops to soothe your throat. National cabinet encourages wearing masks to combat COVID-19. Here's what you need to know. Avoid things that may cause you to cough such as: Strong scents such as air fresheners, scented candles, perfumes, or deodorants, Move around if you can to help to move the phlegm, Try lying on one side to help drain phlegm, Try to inhale through the nose because inhaling through the mouth may make you cough more, Antithrombotic therapy anticoagulants and antiplatelet therapy, Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone. The following antihistamines may also be tried: Some treatments for a lingering cough are a little more involved. CoronaCheck: Are the triple-vaxxed being infected at a higher rate in the UK than the unvaccinated? Treatment of subacute and chronic cough in adults. The coldness may help numb the pain and soothe your throat if it is sore from coughing. The problem is, coughing may persist for weeks or months after the infection has gone. However, a person needs immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur: To get medical attention, a person can call 911 or the nearest emergency facility and ask for advice on how to safely get treatment for a person who has or may have COVID-19. drinking plenty of warm liquids, such as tea or broth, to soothe throat irritation from coughing using a humidifier or taking a steamy shower to add moisture to the air around you avoiding or. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) Asthma. Nonmedication treatments for coughs include drinking plenty of fluids, especially warm drinks, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And it can last as long as six months after the infection, according to the American Lung Association. You can also apply an over-the-counter product that contains the oil, like Vicks VapoRub, to the skin on your chest. doi:10.21037/jtd.2018.09.153. She is also a 10-time marathoner, frequent traveler and avid amateur baker. Lingering coughs are believed to be caused by either mucous draining into your throat (postnasal drip) or inflammation related to the initial infection. For children, be sure to use a cool-mist humidifier. We need to be wary not to label a cough as a post-COVID cough and miss other serious causes of chronic coughs. If it affects your ability to breathe well, you will be prescribed one or more of the following types of medications, depending on the severity of your symptoms: If the test does not show that you have sensitive airways, your healthcare provider may prescribe Atrovent HFA (inhaled ipratropium bromide). People should always feel comfortable seeking medical help if they are uncertain or concerned.. For 30 years, he has worked at Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound and the Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic. South Africa's largest health insurer listed nasal congestion, sore or scratchy throat, dry cough and lower back pain as common Omicron symptoms. The cough typically develops over a day or so and may become quite irritating. Cough suppressants like Delsym cough syrup are drugs that block the cough reflex. Yes, you can add dry mouth to the growing list of potential Covid-19 symptoms. (so the cough is "dry"), but the swelling of the lung tissue still triggers a cough . If the cough is mainly from post-nasal drip, it will respond tomeasures to reduce this, such as sucking lozenges, saline rinses, nasal sprays, and sleeping in an upright posture. Try hot tea or water with honey and lemon to soothe irritated airways. However, it's important to seek medical attention right away if you are experiencing a lingering cough and any of these symptoms: Even if it's not serious, having a lingering cough can be very annoying and disruptive. Learn about natural ways to treat your cough. These include having an upper respiratory infection that causes large amounts of mucus and/or the inability to adequately clear mucus from the lungs. All rights reserved. 2021;9(5):53344. A dry cough is one of the most common coronavirus symptoms, but some people may have a cough with phlegm (thick mucus). name, location or any personal health conditions. Nasal irrigation (available over-the-counter) Lie on your side or sit upright instead. doi:10.1002/ffj.3252, Raeessi MA, Aslani J, Raessi N, Gharaje H, Karimi Zarchi AA, Raessi F. Honey plus coffee versus systemic steroid in the treatment of persistent post-infectious cough: a randomised controlled trial. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Symptoms generally last seven to 14 days and may include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy/runny nose, sneezing, headache, and muscle aches. There are also natural remedies that may help ease your cough symptoms. Nora . 2 While more sedating than newer drugs, these particular antihistamines are more effective at minimizing a post-viral cough. Dry mouth condition needs to be closely monitored. In the case of COVID-19, this cough could last for as long as six months after the viral infection, especially if the patient contracted Omicron because it is more airway dependent than the original strain. The lingering coughs related to COVID are usually dry coughs, which means you wont feel the urge to cough anything up. It also offers tips on how to reduce your risk of post-infectious coughs and upper respiratory infections in general.