Persistent Cough? Don’t Ignore It! Learn the Dos and Don’ts.

In Chennai, despite a rise in temperature, flu like illnesses is widely prevalent and showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. Although it affects individuals of all ages, it is particularly worse for the children and elders, especially those who are already on some medication. On an average, we see 3-5 days of moderate to high fever, with cough & other respiratory symptoms persisting till about 2 weeks and sometimes lasting up to 6 weeks…presenting as post–viral bronchitis.

Elders & young children are particularly prone to develop acute pneumonia, sometimes requiring hospitalization. Fatigue has been a very common symptom this season and, along with loss of appetite, is quite often debilitating.

Unseasonal smog has also led to acute exacerbations in individuals with asthma/ allergic rhinitis/ chronic bronchitis. The increasing smoke / dust particles being suspended in the air gives more contact time for allergy to worsen. Some require nebulizations and/ or short course steroid therapy.