How long can a cough last after an illness in adults?

A lingering cough after an acute respiratory viral infection (post-infectious cough) lasts more than 3 weeks and is accompanied by rawness and a burning sensation in the throat after the disappearance of other signs of the disease.

Coughing and associated symptoms sometimes last 1.5-2 months. According to statistics, post-infectious cough occurs in 25-50% of people who have had ARVI.

To identify the causes, diagnostics are carried out - bronchoscopy, radiography, laboratory tests, spirometry.

Why does a cough after a cold not go away for a long time?

Coughing is a reflex accompanied by a quick, strong exhalation. After a bacterial or viral infection, it can last from 1 to 8 weeks, in isolated cases – more than 2 months. Depending on the duration, post-infectious cough can be:

• acute – up to 3 weeks;
• subacute – more than 3 but less than 8 weeks;
• chronic – from 8 weeks.

Causes of cough attacks after ARVI:

• Damage to the ciliated epithelium. If treatment is incorrect or delayed, viruses damage the mucous membrane, which disrupts its secretory function.
• Hypersensitivity of cough receptors. Due to inflammation, the sensitivity of receptors in the hypopharynx increases. Therefore, the urge to cough occurs at the slightest change in temperature, inhalation of dust, allergens, etc.
• Violation of the evacuation function. If the functioning of the mucociliary system deteriorates, the cilia of the epithelium stop pushing mucus out of the respiratory tract. Therefore, it flows down the walls of the respiratory tract, irritating the cough receptors.

Coughing within 3 weeks after ARVI is a reason to contact an otolaryngologist.

The symptom is provoked either by disturbances in the functioning of the ciliary apparatus of the bronchi, nasal cavity and trachea, or by complications of a viral infection.

There are several serious misconceptions regarding cough due to ARVI, which often cause complications:

• Cough is an independent disease. The act of coughing occurs in response to irritation of receptors in the respiratory tract during infectious, allergic and non-infectious diseases. Therefore, it is not the inflammation that needs to be treated, but the inflammation in the ENT organs.
• From the first days of ARVI, you need to take mucolytics. In fact, the need to take mucus thinners arises only 3-4 days after the onset of a cold. An excessive decrease in the viscosity of mucus is dangerous due to its reverse inhalation during a cough attack.
• Cough attacks for more than 3 weeks are a sign of complications after ARVI. A lingering cough after a runny nose indicates a disruption in the functioning of the cilia, which is reversible. It can last for more than 1 month, but does not pose a serious threat to health.

Only in 10-15% of cases, the persistence of coughing attacks after ARVI indicates complications:

• pneumonia;
• pharynx neurosis;
• false croup;
• bronchitis;
• meningitis;
• postnasal drip syndrome.

With a long course of ARVI, there is a risk of intoxication, which is dangerous due to myocarditis. In this case, complaints of shortness of breath, dry cough, and heart rhythm disturbances appear.

Factors that provoke coughing after ARVI:

• improper treatment of a viral infection;
• violation of bed rest;
• addition of a bacterial infection;
• smoking;
• abuse of certain medications.

If ARVI lasts more than 1.5 weeks, the risk of psychogenic cough increases. It occurs as a result of habit, and not organic changes in the mucosa.

When to see a doctor

Ignoring symptoms is fraught with both somatic and mental disorders. It is recommended to make an appointment with an ENT specialist if:

• chest pain occurs;
• temperature rises after coughing;
• there is a lump in the throat;
• attacks are accompanied by shortness of breath;
• severe cough does not go away for a month.

If you have complaints about your health after an acute respiratory viral infection, contact a pulmonologist or ENT specialist. To identify the cause of the attacks, the doctor will prescribe:

• rhinoscopy;
• laryngoscopy;
• sputum analysis;
• general blood analysis;
• bronchoscopy;
• pharyngoscopy.

If complications are suspected, MRI of the lungs, CT scan of the brain, and ultrasound of the heart are additionally prescribed.

If the function of external respiration is impaired, spirography is performed.

Treatment of residual cough after ARVI

If after an acute respiratory viral infection you are bothered by a runny nose and the cough does not go away for more than 2-3 weeks, conservative treatment will help. To make you feel better, medications with multidirectional but complementary effects are prescribed. Residual cough should be treated comprehensively, so additional physiotherapy is prescribed - inhalations, compresses, massage.

Drugs from the pharmacy

Before getting rid of a cough after suffering from an acute respiratory viral infection, it is necessary to determine its productivity. If sputum cannot be separated, antitussives are used. Wheezing in the bronchi is a sign of accumulation of viscous mucus. To remove it, mucus-thinning (mucolytic) and expectorants are used.

You cannot take antitussive and mucolytic drugs at the same time. This is fraught with accumulation of mucus in the bronchi and complications - pneumonia, bronchitis.

Dry cough after a cold is treated with the following medications:

• Libexin;
• Bronholitin;
• Terpincode;
• Codelac;
• Glauvent;
• Butamirat;
• Glaucine.

For productive cough use:

• Ambroxol;
• ACC 100;
• Bromhexine;
• Mucodin;
• Eucabal cough syrup;
• Bronchosan;
• Ascoril;
• Gedelix;
• Doctor Mom;
• Tussamag;
• Fluditek.

If ARVI is complicated by bronchitis, bronchodilators are prescribed, which increase the lumen of the bronchi and prevent spasms:

• Berodual;
• Salamol-Eco;
• Atrovent;
• Theotard;
• Ventolin nebula;
• Salbutamol.

For residual symptoms after ARVI, throat sprays with a softening, antiseptic and healing effect are recommended - Ingalipt, Hexoral, Tantum Verde, Aqualor.

Homemade compresses and rubs

To remove residual cough after ARVI in an adult, warm compresses are good. They stimulate blood circulation in the lungs, preventing mucus stagnation in the bronchi.

Recipes for compresses after ARVI:

• Honey. Melt honey in a water bath or in the microwave. Apply it to the back or chest. Cover with cellophane and a woolen scarf. After half an hour, the honey is removed with a damp towel.
• Mustard. 2 tbsp. l. flour mixed with 3 tsp. mustard powder. Dilute with water until a creamy consistency is obtained. Apply to gauze and apply to the back for 20 minutes.
• Potato. 3-5 small potatoes, peeled. Boil in water for 20-25 minutes. The vegetable broth is drained, and the root vegetables are mashed with a fork, forming a flat cake. They wrap it in plastic and place it on their back, insulating it with a woolen scarf and blanket. After 20-30 minutes, the compress is removed.

For cough attacks after ARVI, apply compresses 2-3 times a day for 1 week.

Rubbing is effective for complications of ARVI - pneumonia, bronchitis. To facilitate the passage of mucus and eliminate bronchospasms, use:

• Recipe No. 1. Melt 200 g of pork fat in a water bath, add 100 g of butter. Rub the product on your back and chest at night.
• Recipe No. 2. 1 part propolis is mixed with 10 parts goose fat. Keep in a water bath until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Rub your back every night before bed.

After the compress and rubbing, you need to lie under a blanket for at least 30-40 minutes.

Medicinal herbal decoctions

To get rid of a cough after an acute respiratory infection, drink decoctions of plants with anti-inflammatory, mucolytic and soothing effects:

• Thyme and mint. Herbs are mixed in equal proportions. 2 tbsp. l. pour 1 liter of boiling water over the mixture and boil for 2-3 minutes. After half an hour, the broth is filtered. Take 200 ml up to 4 times a day.
• Calendula and chamomile. 1 tbsp. l. chamomile mixed with 1 tsp. calendula. Boil in ½ liter of water for 10 minutes. Add 1 tsp to the filtered broth. honey Drink 150 ml 3-4 times a day.

For ARVI, decoctions of coltsfoot, lemon balm, St. John's wort, licorice, rose hips, etc. are useful. The course of herbal medicine lasts from 7 to 14 days.

Inhalations

To relieve coughing, resort to aerosol (via nebulizer) or steam-moisture inhalations. If you don't have an inhaler, use a saucepan and a towel. Take as mucolytics:

• Mineral water. 1 liter of alkaline mineral water is heated to a temperature of 45°C. Add 5-7 drops of fir or eucalyptus essential oil.
• Hot potatoes. Boil potatoes in their jackets. Without draining the water, knead with a fork and cool slightly. If desired, add 1 tsp to the water. soda
• Chamomile decoction. 1 tbsp. l. Boil the herbs over low heat in 1 liter of water for 10 minutes. Add 5 drops of peppermint oil to the decoction.

To avoid burns, solutions are cooled to a temperature of 40-45°C. If a spasmodic cough bothers you after an acute respiratory viral infection, take bronchodilators before the procedure.

Physical exercise

To overcome a prolonged cough, you need to move more. Moderate physical activity stimulates the work of the ENT organs and respiratory muscles, and accelerates the removal of sputum. Especially useful:

• yoga;
• classes on the orbit track;
• walking in the fresh air;
• breathing exercises.

To prevent hypothermia, exercise in a draft-free room at an air temperature of 22-24°C.

Massage

If coughing attacks do not go away after ARVI, you can do a chest massage. It eliminates the symptoms of respiratory diseases, stimulates local immunity and increases the tone of the respiratory muscles.

The massage includes several stages:

• light rubbing and stroking;
• intensive rubbing in the direction from the center of the chest to the periphery;
• comb-like rubbing from bottom to top.

If ARVI is complicated by bronchitis, vibration massage, which is performed within the walls of the clinic, is effective.

After the procedure, it is recommended to use warming ointments or balms - Doctor Mom, Vicks Active, Eucalyptus Doctor Theiss.

Before performing a massage, consult your doctor. Physiotherapy is contraindicated for breast tumors, stage 3 hypertension, and acute abscesses.

Requirements for indoor conditions

Optimal conditions in the room will help the child recover. To create them you need:

• maintain the temperature at 20-23°C;
• do wet cleaning every day;
• ventilate the room every 2-3 hours;
• humidify the air.

To create the desired microclimate in the room, humidifiers and air conditioners are used. If there is no special equipment, hang wet sheets or towels.

Complications of prolonged cough after illness

Of all acute respiratory viral infections, the greatest danger to health is influenza, which is accompanied by severe intoxication. Therefore, delayed treatment of children is dangerous for meningoencephalitis and cardiovascular diseases. If the cough does not go away after fever, complications are possible:

• inguinal or umbilical hernia;
• dysphonia (hoarseness of voice);
• psychogenic cough;
• chronic inflammation of the laryngopharynx mucosa;
• insomnia.

With a hysterical cough, damage to the ligaments and complete loss of voice – aphonia – cannot be ruled out. Constant attacks worsen the quality of life and affect the psycho-emotional state. If they last more than 3-4 weeks, the risk of neuroses, apathy, and depression increases.

Prevention

Preventive measures are aimed at preventing post-infectious cough. To reduce the risk of complications and disturbances in the functioning of the mucociliary system during ARVI, you should:

• observe bed rest for 3-5 days;
• take medications only as prescribed by a doctor;
• drink warm drinks (up to 1.5-2 liters per day);
• humidify the air in the room;
• avoid drafts.

If your child starts coughing after a runny nose, contact your pediatrician. Self-medication is dangerous due to complications - sinusitis, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis.

Cough attacks after ARVI are a sign of malfunctions of the mucociliary system or complications of a viral infection. Therefore, if they do not go away within 3 weeks or more, consult a doctor.

Source: https://tden.ru/health/kashel-posle-orvi

Residual cough after acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections: treatment, why coughing does not go away, how long it lasts and how to get rid of it

Cases where treatment of residual dry cough after illness in adults and children is required is a common occurrence. Many patients are familiar with the situation when a cough can persist for a month or even longer after suffering from a respiratory tract disease. Despite the completion of the manifestation of symptomatic signs and improvement of the condition, the disease continues to be active.

Residual cough is an unpleasant consequence of the disease that may not go away for weeks.

Causes

Residual cough is not entirely uncommon. Most often, people who have had ARVI, tracheitis, laryngitis, whooping cough, pneumonia or bronchitis suffer from this symptom.

The reason is that the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract cannot quickly recover from the disease, and a small amount of sputum still remains in the bronchi and trachea, which the body is trying to get rid of.

After an acute respiratory viral infection, a residual cough can be provoked by physical exertion and inhalation of cold air.

Treatment options

Medical experts say that residual cough should not always be treated. In some cases, a few days are enough for the unpleasant symptom to go away on its own. Therapeutic measures are necessary if the patient experiences discomfort, and a persistent cough does not go away even after taking antibiotics.

Use of drugs

To combat residual cough, medications are mandatory. They are divided into groups, depending on the nature of the effect and therapeutic focus:

Cough medications are selected by the doctor depending on the nature of the symptoms present.

1. Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs. Prescribed if the cause of the residual symptom is inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. In this case, the cause of the cough is removed at the local level and the infection is eliminated.
2. Corticosteroids. Rarely used due to strong effects. Admission is necessary when patients suffer from hormone-dependent bronchial asthma, which occurs in severe form. Treatment with such drugs should be under the supervision of specialists.
3. Antihistamines. They help stop the process of histamine release and reduce sensitivity to the substance at the cellular level.
4. Mucolytics. They make it possible to remove the residual part of sputum from the area of ​​the lungs and bronchi from the body, especially if the natural process of coughing is difficult. This measure will lead to complete relief from the existing contagious symptom.

If there is a residual cough, drinking plenty of fluids is recommended.

If the cough does not go away after illness, then the patient is not recommended to limit himself to drug therapy. There are additional measures to combat viral pathology. It is necessary to drink more fluid - this will reduce the activity of the cough. Light breathing exercises are considered effective.

The technique helps to remove the residual effect quite quickly (about a week). The attending physician will tell the patient how to get rid of the obsessive symptom. During the period of cough activity, the immune system weakens. For this reason, measures must be taken to restore it. These include the use of immunomodulators or the use of vitamin complexes.

The duration of therapy, dosage and type of drugs used are established by the attending physician based on the data obtained as a result of an examination of the body. In some cases, it is possible to treat the disease independently at home.

Benefits of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic measures are necessary when the respiratory nature of the cough is confirmed. Course therapy is prescribed in the following cases:

UHF therapy helps to cope with inflammation and spasms of the bronchi

• identification of infectious effects on the patient’s body with the simultaneous course of a previously established pathology;
• the presence of a wet cough with a small amount of sputum;
• The coughing process remains due to weakened immunity.

Physiotherapy involves several types of procedures. One of them, which is especially popular for residual cough, is UHF therapy.

It is the effect on the body of a magnetic field with a thermal effect.

The event is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process and spasms (arising as a result of acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections), restoring blood circulation and activating natural protective functions.

A back massage is especially effective after suffering from bronchitis or pneumonia. To bring the patient’s general condition back to normal after a cold, a vibration massage is prescribed. In addition to its main action, it is used to strengthen the muscular area of ​​the chest. The session lasts 10-15 minutes. For the best effect, it is recommended to complete the full course without skipping (at least 10 days).

At home it is recommended to carry out inhalations using a nebulizer

Inhalations are also necessary to combat the residual form of cough; they can be done at home using a nebulizer. Therapy involves the use of mineral water, saline solution and decoction of medicinal plants. You can make a steam inhaler yourself.

To do this, add medicinal plants to a container of boiling water. If necessary, you can add a few drops of essential oil. The contents are boiled for 10 minutes, after which it should be covered with a cotton cloth.

The final stage requires making a hole in the fabric and inserting a tube into it. Inhalation is through the nose and exhalation through the mouth.

The duration and options of therapy are determined by the doctor.

ethnoscience

Pharmacies offer a large selection of medicinal medications, the action of which is aimed at eliminating cough and its residue. However, many patients prefer traditional medicine, which has proven its effectiveness for a long time. Therapy is allowed if there are no contraindications. The most common ones include:

Bitter radish juice is one of the most effective folk remedies for coughs.

1. Bitter radish juice. To obtain the product, the top part of the fruit is cut off, the contents of the vegetable are cleaned and honey is added. It is advisable to drink the resulting juice on the first day after preparation.
2. Collections from medicinal plants. Their use should be differentiated depending on the type of reflex. For a dry cold cough, brew licorice, coltsfoot and violet, and for a wet cough, brew chamomile and thyme. Reception can be carried out both in combination and separately.
3. To activate the expectoration process, the use of cabbage juice in combination with honey is prescribed. At the initial stage, it is necessary to melt the bee product using a water bath, after which cabbage juice is added to it. The product is taken twice a day.
4. Fig milk for coughs is considered no less useful. Milk and figs are boiled. After this, the infusion simmers for about 5-7 minutes. The remedy is suitable if the patient has a sore throat.
5. An excellent solution for treating a long-term cough is rye flatbread. To prepare it, you need to mix honey, vegetable oil, alcohol and mustard until a thick texture is formed. For therapy, the cake is wrapped in gauze and placed on the chest area before going to bed at night.

A well-known folk healer is potatoes. You need to boil the tubers, then mash them and add half a teaspoon of soda. After cooling, the mixture is laid out on gauze and applied to the chest. The method is relevant if the patient has an acute coughing attack in which he begins to choke.

Preventive measures

The basis of the diet should be foods with a high protein content

As soon as the patient begins to cough, it is recommended to contact a medical facility - due to the lack of timely treatment, the negative consequences are difficult to cure.

After suffering an infectious disease, in order to avoid re-infection and to restore strength, the following are necessary: ​​regular walks in the fresh air, an active lifestyle, and in some cases, on the contrary, rest (sitting or lying down more).

Nutrition should be complete and balanced. The diet should include foods high in protein. It is useful to humidify the air in the room, ventilate it, but avoid hypothermia, and do not neglect medical advice.

Source: https://pulmohealth.com/bolezni/kashel/ostatochnyj-kashel/

Cough does not go away after ARVI

If a cough does not go away after an acute respiratory viral infection, you should consult a doctor to determine the exact cause and prescribe the necessary treatment. It is not recommended to self-medicate, as this can worsen the patient’s condition and lead to serious complications.

In some cases, a lingering cough indicates the development of severe pathological processes in the body.

Causes of persistent cough

A residual dry cough that occurs after an acute respiratory viral infection is considered normal. It helps eliminate dead cells and mucus from the body.

A severe cough may occur due to:

• pulmonary, cardiac pathologies;
• tumors in the respiratory tract of a benign or malignant nature;
• bronchial asthma;
• smoking abuse.

In the presence of the listed conditions, colds only worsen the patient's condition.

Purulent secretions accumulating on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract increase their sensitivity, resulting in the development of an instinctive cough. This phenomenon disappears after the disease is completely cured.

However, the human immune system, the presence of bad habits, as well as the environment in which the patient lives, influence the disappearance of the symptom in question.

The most common causes of a persistent cough include:

• stressful conditions;
• lack of fluid in the body;
• indoor air is too dry;
• excessive use of vasoconstrictor nasal drops/sprays during ARVI therapy;
• the addition of a secondary bacterial infection.

To eliminate cough syndrome after a cold, you must consult a doctor, who must determine the exact cause of its occurrence.

Possible diseases

Residual coughing after an acute respiratory viral infection does not always signal the presence of pathology in the body. However, you should not neglect a visit to the doctor, as this condition may be a sign of a serious illness:

• acute or chronic bronchitis;
• tracheitis;
• tracheobronchitis;
• bronchiecstasis;
• pneumonia;
• obstructive pulmonary disease of chronic form.

These pathologies cause a wet cough after ARVI, which is accompanied by the release of colorless mucus. There are several diseases that can become acute during the development of an inflammatory process in the respiratory tract of an infectious nature:

• chlamydia;
• mycoplasmosis;
• laryngeal candidiasis;
• tuberculosis;
• pneumocystis;
• chronic problems with the central nervous system.

A clinical sign of any of the diseases presented is a dry cough, which can become debilitating.

Diagnostics

If a cough does not go away after the flu, you need to determine the exact cause of its occurrence, which should be done at an early stage in the development of the symptom. This will help avoid serious consequences.

As a diagnostic test, the doctor refers the patient to undergo:

• biochemical blood test;
• general (UAC);
• analysis of mucus discharge.

In some cases the passage is shown:

• fluorography;
• CT, MRI of the chest area;
• X-ray of the lungs.

If pain occurs in the chest area, the doctor refers the patient to undergo additional procedures: auscultation, percussion of the lungs. Based on the examination results, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes the necessary treatment.

Fighting methods

Residual cough after ARVI in an adult or child can be overcome in several ways. To achieve the best result, it is recommended to combine products.

Medical therapy

Most often, the consequence of an acute respiratory viral infection is a dry cough, so traditional therapy is aimed at liquefying mucus and removing it from the respiratory tract.

For this purpose, drugs that have a mucolytic effect are used. It is advisable to choose such drugs made from herbal ingredients, as they have a small number of side effects.

Phytoncides help reduce swelling of the mucous membranes and destroy pathogenic microorganisms.

The most effective mucolytic drugs include:

1. Prospan, Broncholetin, produced in the form of mixtures.
2. Ambroxol, Bromhexine, Mucaltin, Gedelix - tablets.
3. Lazolvan, Herbion, licorice root - cough syrups.

To relieve the child of residual coughing, the following mucolytics are prescribed:

• Mucaltin (tablets);
• Doctor Mom, Bronchicum, Alteyka, Pertussin (syrups);
• Gedelix (drops).

It should be borne in mind that the compositions of the presented antitussive medications contain components of plant origin that can cause allergic reactions.

Also, in cough therapy, breast infusions based on medicinal herbs with expectorant properties (ledum, sage, anise, oregano, pine buds, licorice, coltsfoot) are quite effective. It is strictly not recommended to independently administer antitussive drugs to children under three years of age.

Effective ways to combat cough include inhalations, which can help relieve the condition by thinning and removing mucus from the respiratory tract.

For a dry cough, inhalations based on mineral water or saline are prescribed; for a productive cough, Lazolvan is prescribed. To treat coughing in a child, it is recommended to use a nebulizer.

In its absence, pediatricians advise children to inhale the medicinal vapors of a soda solution or breast milk twice a day. for 10 – 15 minutes.

People's Pharmacy

Among the most effective folk methods of fighting coughs are black radish with the addition of natural honey . You can get rid of the unpleasant phenomenon in question after just a week of such therapy. Radish is a storehouse of vitamin C; together with honey, this vegetable is famous for its excellent expectorant effect.

This healing remedy is quite easy to prepare:

1. To begin with, the root vegetable must be thoroughly washed and the top part cut off.
2. Make a small depression in the central part, removing some of the pulp.
3. Add a small amount of natural honey to the resulting hole.
4. Leave the vegetable for several hours, covering it with the cut top part.

During this time, the radish will secrete medicinal juice, which must be consumed daily, 1 b. l. three times/day

You can make another medicine for children: grind a couple of ripe bananas in a blender, then add sugar syrup (1 tbsp per 1 tbsp boiled water), mix the products. Take the finished product after meals 3 times a day.

Also, to treat residual coughing, you can use medicinal herbs, which must be brewed and consumed as tea. To make a herbal drink, you need to pour 1 tbsp. l. dried plants with boiling water (1 l). Simmer in a water bath for about 15 – 20 minutes.

Medicinal herbs that have an antitussive effect include:

• marshmallow;
• eucalyptus;
• coltsfoot;
• thyme;
• liquorice root.

To eliminate coughing attacks, a mixture of 0.12 kg of natural honey and half a tbsp. apple cider vinegar. Honey helps eliminate irritation in the throat and warms the bronchi, for this purpose 1 tbsp. l. bee product should be dissolved in 1 tbsp. warmed milk. Drink the resulting drink completely.

In this case, you need to drink more water, which will help turn the viscous mucus into a liquid state and remove it from the respiratory tract.

Anti-cough exercises

By performing breathing exercises, you can remove phlegm in a short time and strengthen the body’s immune properties. Before performing antitussive exercises, it is recommended to wet clean the room and ventilate it.

List of exercises:

1. Walk in one place for 2 - 3 minutes, raising your knees high. When lifting one leg, you need to simultaneously raise your arms, inhale oxygen through your mouth, with the other, lower your upper limbs, exhale with the sound “Huuuu”.
2. Take a horizontal position, lying on your back, exhale deeply. In this case, you need to tighten your abdominal muscles. After this, exhale deeply and “inflate” your stomach.
3. In a standing position, try to hug yourself, while you need to touch your fingertips to your shoulder blades. While hugging, you need to exhale deeply.
4. Take a vertical position, raise your arms above your head, clasp your fingers. In this case, you need to rise on your toes, bending back. After this, sharply lean forward, with your upper limbs raised high. When raising your arms, you need to inhale deeply, when lowering, exhale.

It is recommended to devote 10 to 15 minutes every day to perform the described actions. The result depends on the regularity and correctness of the breathing exercises.

Preventive measures

Compliance with these preventive measures will help prevent complications after ARVI and speed up the recovery process:

1. It is recommended to regularly exercise, swim in the pool, and walk in the fresh air.
2. Create a balanced diet of healthy foods and stick to it.
3. Humidify the air in the room. A dry environment makes coughing worse.
4. Avoid hypothermia.
5. Limit contact with sick people.

It is also necessary to monitor your own and your children’s health and undergo regular preventive examinations of the body.

Source: https://bezgrippa.com/simptomy/posle-orvi-ne-proxodit-kashel/

How to treat residual cough after ARVI in an adult

The occurrence of cough in respiratory diseases is a protective function of the body. With its help, the airways are cleared of accumulated inflammatory product.

The cough does not always go away with the end of the underlying disease. Sometimes the symptom may remain and continue to torment the patient. This is a residual cough after viral infections.

Why does it occur

It is quite easy to get a respiratory infection. The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets. The source of infection is sick people who, when talking, coughing, sneezing, release the pathogen into the external environment. The causes of cough symptoms are rhinoviruses, coronaviruses and metapneuvoviruses. Bacterial microflora also contributes to its development.

With weak body resistance and reduced immunity, sometimes complications develop on the 4-5th day of illness: otitis media, tonsillitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia. In more severe cases, damage to the nervous and cardiovascular systems is possible.

A viral cough at this point is already becoming quite dangerous and unpleasant. Bronchospasm persists after recovery and disappearance of other characteristic symptoms. There is frequent coughing. This occurs due to the spread of infection to the lower respiratory tract.

To prevent the progression of the disease, the inflammatory process should be stopped at the initial stage of its development. It is necessary to begin timely treatment of the throat (tonsillitis) and nasopharynx (rhinitis, rhinotracheitis) - places where a viral respiratory infection penetrates when infected.

How does a post-viral cough manifest?

The occurrence of a dry cough is preceded by chills, increased body temperature (38-39°C), headache, general weakness, sweating, and sore throat. Subsequently, an unproductive cough develops with little sputum production. The cough continues for 4-6 weeks.

In the absence of adequate treatment, the respiratory tract is deeply affected with the development of dysfunction of the ciliated epithelium, and the clearance of the lumen of the respiratory tract from the irritant (accumulated excessive secretions, sputum) is slowed down.

Varieties

Characteristics of bronchospasm according to the degree of bronchial secretion:

1. Dry, unproductive - occurs 4-5 days after infection. Its transition to a wet form indicates an improvement in the patient’s condition.
2. Unproductive - appears on the 7-10th day of illness. It may last a month or more.
3. Moist (wet) - when sputum is released, it is considered a sign of recovery and goes away in 2-3 weeks.

Cough, depending on the course, can be:

• acute – the first few days;
• subacute – 2-3 weeks;
• chronic – 3-6 weeks;
• protracted (long-term) – several months.

According to the form of manifestation, residual cough is distinguished:

• barking – develops with inflammation of the larynx and pharynx, croup, parainfluenza;
• paroxysmal - occurs after whooping cough (due to the hidden clinical course of the disease, it is rarely diagnosed in a timely manner in adults);
• deep (thoracic) – noted at the stage of resolution of pneumonia (pneumonia);
• nocturnal – asthmatic.

An initially dry cough often changes to a wet one with the release of purulent mucous sputum (a sign of the presence of bacterial microflora). In some cases, chest pain and shortness of breath occur.

Important! You should be especially careful not to miss the onset of pneumonia.

If there is even a slight, fever-free, but prolonged residual cough after an acute respiratory viral infection in an adult, it is necessary to consult a doctor for an examination and listening to the lungs. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor sometimes prescribes an additional examination - x-ray diagnostics. It allows you to prevent the development of complications - lobar pneumonia, lung abscess.

Treatment

A severe cough that develops after an acute respiratory viral infection in an adult is quite difficult to treat. Elimination of the symptom is possible with the combined use of several groups of drugs: immunoprotectors, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents.

The use of antiviral drugs (Groprinosin and analogues) is advisable in the first 48 hours of the disease. Next, the immune system begins to produce its own immune bodies.

During this and subsequent periods, it is worth using nonspecific immunoglobulins (lysates of bacteria), which help strengthen the immune system - “Broncho-munal”, “Broncho-vaxom”, “Wobenzym”, “Arbidol”, “Imunofan” and others.

Cough after a cold can be successfully treated with the non-steroidal drug Erespal (Erispirus), which has an anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effect.

Residual cough after ARVI is eliminated with the drug "Rengalin". It allows you to transform a frequent dry cough that occurs after acute respiratory infections into a lighter, productive one. In this case, there is no increase in the formation of bronchial secretions. The duration of therapy is 7-10 days.

Acute dry hacking cough with laryngotracheitis (inflammation of the larynx and trachea) is reduced by using Sinekod. The course of treatment is 7-10 days. The decision to extend therapy is made by the doctor.

Getting rid of residual bronchospasm is facilitated by the use of traditional medicine . Traditional medicines reduce swelling, have expectorant, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, mucolytic effects.

Folk remedies:

• inhalation;
• therapeutic massage;
• warming compresses;
• health-improving gymnastics and physical education.

Inhalations with string, wild rosemary, plantain, coltsfoot, and yarrow have a pronounced effect in the treatment of residual cough.

Essential oils of sage, calamus, rosemary, pine or fir are added to the solutions. In the absence of a nebulizer, they practice inhaling steam of medicinal herbs from a small container.

After the physical procedure, you should stay indoors for 10-15 minutes; you should not go outside right away.

Badger fat is used for rubbing; massage is usually carried out before bedtime. Warm compresses are also applied to the chest and back, avoiding the heart area.

Physiotherapy exercises, when you feel well overall, have a positive effect and promote the removal of sputum. One of the popular exercises is push-ups from a horizontal surface on your knees or raising your arms to the sides with a small load while lying on your back. Thanks to physical education, active ventilation of the lungs occurs and coughing is stimulated.

Active walking improves the health of the body, especially in the morning near a park, pond or in a grove. An ideal place for rehabilitation after respiratory diseases would be a young coniferous forest. In it, pine needles or young pine cones are collected, which are used to prepare decoctions, infusions and inhalations.

How to warn?

As you know, it is much easier to prevent the occurrence of a disease than to treat it later.

Prevention of bronchospasms includes:

1. Increasing the body's resistance - hardening, active lifestyle (mobility, sports, frequent walks), good nutrition, healthy sleep, positive perception of the surrounding reality.
2. Drink plenty of fluids and periodically moisturize the nasal mucosa.
3. Prevention of infection - avoiding contact with sick people, frequent visits to public places (with large crowds of people) during the peak of infection.
4. The use of an individual barrier mask during frequent contact with people during an epidemic.
5. Strengthened adherence to personal hygiene rules (washing hands with soap, changing into home clothes after coming from outside).
6. Frequent ventilation of office and residential premises, regular wet cleaning and preventive quartz treatment if necessary.

The above recommendations will not in all cases help protect the body from pathogenic microorganisms, but their use significantly reduces the risk of ARVI. These simple rules will help strengthen the body and give vigor.

Natalia Tsyurik

Sources: medscape.com, health.harvard.edu, medicalnewstoday.com.

Source: https://globalmedclub.ru/kashel/vidy/ostatochnyj-posle-orvi.html

The cough after ARVI and colds is dry and does not go away for a long time in an adult - residual and long, sore throat after an untreated illness

A lingering cough after a recent acute respiratory viral infection is a situation familiar to everyone. Even if it does not cause serious inconvenience, this is a reason to consult a doctor. This is necessary if an annoying cough does not go away for more than a week.

Coughing is a natural way to clear mucus from the airways, but without adequate treatment it can become chronic.

This symptom may indicate an inflammatory process after a cold or a bacterial infection in the bronchi.

Why does a cough last a long time after a cold - definition of a symptom

Most often, a painful dry cough is a consequence of the flu or cold. His attacks most often intensify towards night, making it difficult to sleep. If it continues for more than a month, it becomes chronic.

You cannot use “cough suppressants” for self-medication, that is, they suppress the cough reflex. They can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

Chronic may additionally be accompanied by such unpleasant symptoms as:

• Dizziness;
• Fast fatiguability;
• Heavy sweating;
• Headache;
• Frequent urination;
• Nagging pain in the chest;
• Runny nose;
• Sore throat;
• Dyspnea;
• Labored breathing.

Chronic cough occurs as a result of inflammation of the bronchi

Sometimes a chronic cough can even be wet. Most often, this may be a sign of a bacterial infection in the respiratory tract, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Without adequate treatment, it can lead to serious complications.

Chronic cough is often a consequence of an untreated or suffered cold.

The most common mistake when treating a cough is not paying attention to this symptom, believing that it will “go away on its own.” Without adequate treatment and the creation of suitable external conditions, it risks causing serious health problems.

Causes of a long, dry and severe cough with phlegm

The most common cause of cough is after a seasonal cold or viral infection. It may be a variant of the norm, since it is with its help that the remaining mucus and dead cells are removed from the body.

If even irregular coughing attacks last longer than 3 weeks, this is a clear reason to consult a doctor.

Moreover, a chronic cough may not even be directly caused by a cold, viral or bacterial infection. Frequent causes of its occurrence may be:

• Smoking (“smoker’s cough”);
• Bronchial asthma;
• Heart pathologies;
• Lung pathologies;
• Benign or malignant neoplasms in the lungs.

In this case, a previous cold or viral infection simply worsens the situation. The inflammatory process increases the sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, causing a reflex cough.

The only exception is bronchial asthma, in which cough is caused only by contact with an allergen.

An untreated cold itself can cause a reflex cough caused by increased sensitivity. In this case, it is enough to complete the treatment to remove all unpleasant symptoms.

 A reflex cough after a cold or viral infection in each case goes away in its own time.

It depends on the level of immunity, the climate in which a person lives and whether he has bad habits.

Quite often, the causes of residual cough can be problems such as:

• Secondary bacterial infection;
• Dry and hot air in the house;
• Lack of fluid in the body;
• Abuse of nasal sprays and vasoconstrictor drops during illness;
• Stress (psychosomatic).

Only a therapist can determine the exact cause of a cough and, if necessary, refer you to other specialists. You cannot treat just the cough itself, since it is only a symptom of many problems.

Possible diseases that cause chronic cough

Possible diseases

The most common cause of chronic cough is a seasonal cold or viral infection. Post-infectious cough can last more than a month, being a variant of the norm. But this can only be confirmed by a doctor after conducting the necessary examination.

You cannot diagnose yourself and “prescribe” medications yourself.

The most possible complications of a viral infection that causes cough are:

• Tracheitis;
• Tracheobronchitis;
• Bronchitis;
• Pneumonia;
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• Bronchiectasis.

All these diseases usually cause a chronic wet cough, accompanied by the discharge of clear mucus. There are unusual causes of chronic cough that can become complicated during an infectious inflammation of the respiratory tract:

• Mycoplasmosis;
• Gastroesophageal reflux;
• Tumor of the mediastinum;
• Interstitial lung diseases;
• Laryngeal candidiasis;
• Pneumocystis;
• Chlamydia;
• Tuberculosis;
• Chronic diseases of the nervous system.

A symptom of all these health problems is a non-productive dry cough. It causes not only irritation of the respiratory mucosa. An exhausting dry cough leads to a general deterioration in health.

If the cough does not go away for more than 7 days, this is a reason to seek help from a specialist. This is especially important when it comes to chronic cough in a child.

Diagnosis and treatment methods if the cough remains

Only a specialist can determine the exact cause of a symptom such as chronic cough after a comprehensive examination.

This should be done as early as possible to avoid a large number of serious complications. This will allow for a timely diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment.

This will help quickly restore the normal state of the respiratory mucosa.

If a cough caused by a cold does not go away after a week, it can lead to complications.

To determine the causes of a persistent cough, the following studies may be needed:

• Clinical blood test;
• Biochemical blood test;
• Fluorography;
• X-rays of light.

If necessary, more complex and expensive research methods may be added to this list, such as:

• MRI of the chest;
• CT scan of the chest;
• Sputum examination.

If there is chest pain during breathing or coughing, in addition to the basic methods, the doctor may conduct specific types of research such as:

• Auscultation of the lungs;
• Percussion of the lungs.

After conducting all the necessary research and establishing an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe the correct treatment. Depending on the situation, it may be aimed at eliminating cough as a symptom or treating a specific disease.

You should trust the choice of the correct treatment method only to a specialist.

In order to alleviate a person’s condition when coughing and reduce irritation of the mucous membrane, the following are most often used:

• Drinking plenty of warm water will help get rid of a cough (a large amount of liquid restores the water balance in the body and facilitates easy removal of phlegm);
• Balanced diet (should contain a large amount of vitamins);
• Inhalations (help reduce inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, make sputum more liquid);
• Mucolytics (make sputum thicker and more viscous, helping it clear easily from the bronchi);
• expectorants (promote the formation of sputum, making the cough productive).

Expectorants may contain substances that relieve inflammation and promote regeneration of the respiratory mucosa. But all these drugs have a lot of serious side effects, so they should only be prescribed by a specialist.

Humidified air helps relieve a cough, as it prevents the mucous membranes from drying out. To do this, it is worth using special air humidifiers that allow you to maintain humidity at 60 - 70%.

If we are talking about a dry, non-productive cough, antitussive drugs are prescribed to alleviate the condition. People call them “cough” medicines. They act directly on the cough center in the brain, inhibiting it.

This leads to stagnation of sputum in the lungs or even such serious consequences as airway obstruction.

Acyclovir: instructions for use

Read about the dangers of colds in newborns here.

Treatment of colds during pregnancy: //drlor.online/diagnostika-lechenie/pri-beremennosti/lechenie-prostudy.html

Video

This video will tell you what to do if your cough does not go away for a long time.

conclusions

A bothersome dry or wet cough is a common consequence of a cold or flu.

In some cases, this may be a variant of the norm, since it is caused by the natural sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract after illness.

But if this symptom continues to bother you for more than a week, this is a reason to consult a doctor. Otherwise, it can become chronic or lead to serious complications.

Only a specialist can determine the true cause of cough after conducting the necessary research and prescribe adequate treatment. If the cough still does not go away after 2 weeks of treatment, you should inform your doctor. At the same time, any medications and folk remedies can be used only for their intended purpose.

Source: https://drLOR.online/zabolevaniya/orvi/prostuda/posle-ne-proxodit-kashel-vozmozhnye-prichiny-diagnostika-i-metody-lecheniya.html