Dealing with a nagging cough
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — It’s that time of year when many viruses are circulating leading to nagging symptoms that make us miserable no matter what our age. So how can we speed up healing?
As many as 30 million people a year, young and old alike, go to the doctor complaining of a lingering cough and this year it’s no different but many wonder why does the cough persists. 28/22 News went to a medical expert for some answers and advice.
With increases in RSV, flu, and COVID-19, it’s no wonder why so many people are coughing. Dr. Sarah Sitoski, a pediatrician with PAK Pediatrics in Clarks Summit has been busy lately treating young patients with many bacterial infections and recurrent viruses.
“Each virus can cause a cough lasting two to three weeks just enough time you are feeling better you’re back to work, school fun things you should be doing only to pick up something else and it causes a new drip, a new cough, seems like it’s lasting forever,” explained Dr. Sitoski.
So what can people do when they have a persistent cough?
Most of the time persistent cough is coming from the top and not actually something going on in your lungs so cough suppressants don’t help. We don’t recommend them under age six so drying up the drip with things like nasal saline to loosen up mucus, guaifenesin, expectorants, mucinex, or anything to help dry up some of that mucus.
When a cough lasts weeks or months after the virus is gone, Dr. Sitoski says you’re not contagious at that point.
Remedies for persistent cough:
hot tea with honey
antihistamines
eucalyptus oil
Besides post-nasal drip, other things that trigger coughing are allergies, asthma, irritants, acid reflux, and COPD.
Avoid milk and dairy products to reduce mucus, blow your nose often to clear your nasal passages and prevent post-nasal drip, and wash your hands to prevent contracting new viruses.
Now if you have taken cough syrup-listen up. There is a recall to tell you about.
Robitussin cough syrup has been recalled nationwide due to a risk of microbial contamination. The recall involves Robitussin Honey CF Max adult and nighttime adult cough syrups.
The recalled products have an expiration date from October 2025 to June 2026. Stop using them.
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