From Covid to more serious condition – here’s what your cough really means and how to treat it
IT’S the time of year when everyone around us seems to have a cough.
It can be dry and tickly or so full-bodied that you bark like a seal.
Most coughs are due to minor irritants and quickly clear up and a recent study found the average length is 18 days.
But if yours persists it could be a sign of something more serious.
GP Dr Rachel Ward said anyone with a cough that lasts more than three weeks should see their doctor.
She told Sun on Sunday Health: “Coughs at this time of year are very common and most people do not need to consult a health professional about it.
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“But if your cough is not settling by three weeks or if you notice other symptoms such as chest pain, weight loss, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, feeling very unwell or not being able to stop coughing, you need to seek advice.”
Here, Dr Ward helps to identify what might be causing your cough.
COLDS AND FLU
Symptoms: Sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, cough, sneezing, raised temperature.
Cause: A virus which causes inflammation of the membranes that line the nose and throat.
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It’s often spread through airborne droplets that are coughed and sneezed into the air by a sick person, and is easily spread.
Flu is also caused by a virus, though symptoms can be more severe.
Treatment: Rest and sleep, drink plenty of water. Ease aches and pains or lower your temperature with paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Numbing sprays can ease a sore throat. Antibiotics do not work.
CHEST INFECTION
Symptoms: Usually a chesty cough with lots of yellow or green mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, a high temperature, aching muscles, fatigue and headaches. Symptoms can last up to ten days.
Cause: Either a virus or by a bacteria causing infection of the airway such as bronchitis.
A viral infection should clear up by itself, while a bacterial infection will need anitbiotics.
Treatment: Stay hydrated and raise your head up while sleeping to make breathing easier.
Use paracetamol to reduce your temperature and walk around regularly to fully expand your lungs.
A GP will prescribe a course of antibiotics if they suspect a bacterial infection but these don’t work for viral ones.
PNEUMONIA
Symptoms: A wet cough, sometimes with green or yellow mucus, shortness of breath, high temperature, chest pain, aches and pains, feeling very tired, loss of appetite and wheezing noises when breathing.
Confusion is common in older people and babies may make grunting noises.
Cause: Usually a bacterial or viral infection. You may catch it from someone who has it, or can get it if you have another infection such as flu or Covid.
Treatment: Fluids and antibiotics.
You are at risk of serious illness and may need to go to hospital if you are aged over 65, you have cardiovascular disease or a lung condition, or if your baby or child has pneumonia. In severe cases, doctors will give oxygen to help you breathe.
COVID
Symptoms: A new continuous cough for more than an hour, or three or more episodes in 24 hours.
You may also have a high temperature, a loss or change to of smell or taste, shortness of breath, tiredness, runny nose, diarrhoea or a sore throat.
Cause: A virus called acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which only emerged about four years ago.
Treatment: Drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter painkillers if you feel uncomfortable.
ACID REFLUX
Symptoms: A harsh or tickly cough. The voice may be hoarse.
Occurs after meals or at night, as lying down allows acid to travel up from the stomach.
Cause: It can affect one in ten of us at some point in our lives.
It happens when a valve at the bottom of the oesophagus fails to close properly and acid from the stomach “refluxes” up the throat.
Treatment: Antacids are available from a pharmacist.
New persistent acid reflux can indicate a more serious underlying condition so consult your GP. Also avoid fatty foods and reduce your alcohol and caffeine intake.
ALLERGY
Symptoms: An irritating, dry or tickly cough.
You may feel mucus dripping down the throat, or like there is a lump in the throat that you try to ease by coughing.
Cause: Viruses, allergies or hay fever can make mucus thick and sticky, which can obstruct the airways and cause a cough.
Treatment: Try a steroid nasal spray to reduce the inflammation.
LUNG CANCER
Symptoms: Constant coughing, coughing up blood, shortness of breath.
You may also experience shoulder pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and repeated chest infections.
Cause: Lung cancer is the UK’s biggest cancer killer, leading to 34,800 deaths a year.
The biggest cause is smoking, but 14 per cent with it have never smoked.
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Treatment: Early diagnosis is key so if you have any concerning symptoms see your GP.
Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
PNEUMONIA
By Deborah Linton
THE World Health Organisation has issued reassurance following fears that an outbreak of pneumonia among children in China could spread to Brits.
More people die from the lung condition in the UK than anywhere in Europe and most are elderly – but the illness is a cause for concern in children too.
Around 700 kids get it in the UK each year and they may have a cold or flu first.
Dr Simon Theobalds, GP at Pall Mall Medical, explains: “Pneumonia’s an inflammatory lung condition impacting the air sacs and is frequently triggered by bacterial, viral or other microbial infections.
“It’s crucial to be vigilant for specific signs that distinguish it from other childhood viruses. While symptoms may overlap, pay attention to persistent high fever, rapid breathing and chest retractions.
“Keep an eye out for symptoms like a cough, chest pain and difficulty breathing.”
The duration and intensity of symptoms can help telling pneumonia apart from other common viruses in kids such as bronchitis.
Dr Theobalds says: “If the symptoms persist and escalate, seek urgent medical attention. Healthcare professionals can perform necessary tests such as blood tests and X-rays to determine an appropriate course of treatment.”
A timely diagnosis and antibiotics can improve the chances of recovery. He explains: “Fast medical attention can manage most cases. The population need not live in constant fear, as pneumonia is treatable and measures, such as vaccinations can significantly reduce risk.”