2024-01-20 10:37:06
If you don’t currently suffer from a dry, nagging cough, chances are you know someone who does. Complaints of a persistent cough and sinus congestion are common at Dr. Alykhan Abdulla’s Manotick Family Clinic in south Ottawa.
These symptoms signal the severity of strains of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 that have reached high levels since the fall, Dr. Abdulla says.
1:16
Why has your cough lasted for weeks?
Photo : iStock
People often come up to me and say, “How come I’ve been coughing for so long?” These are different manifestations of the virus which affects and damages the tissues of the nose, sinuses and throat.
University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine virology professor Earl Brown believes few of us are likely to be spared given the high level of respiratory viruses in the community.
A persistent cough is caused by the body clearing out mucus that has built up while the body was fighting the virus.
All this dirt must be evacuated by coughing, he specifies.
Open in full screen mode
Earl Brown, professor emeritus in the department of biochemistry, microbiology and immunology at the University of Ottawa
Photo : Radio-Canada / Jean Delisle
A more intense virus season
According to Ottawa Public Health, the health system is normally more exposed to respiratory illnesses from December to February, but this year, it started at the end of August and it has not stopped.
Brown warns that precautions such as wearing masks and staying home for people with weakened immune systems and those at risk of complications, such as very young children and the elderly , are still important.
Treat the symptoms
If you already have a persistent cough, Dr. Abdulla suggests seeing a pharmacist.
There are all kinds of herbal remedies, with honey and turmeric, but also various cough syrups, he explains.
If symptoms worsen or are accompanied by chest pain, he suggests seeing a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Some people resort to using asthma inhalers. Not only do they cough, but they also have wheezing and airway restriction, he says.
With information from Matthew Copper of CBC News
1705763199
#cough #wont #stop