Persistent Cough: When a Common Cold Becomes a Concern

• 25-February-2025
• 26 Likes

Dr. Chetan K. Ganteppanavar: Persistent Cough – When a Cold Worsens

We all know the drill: the sniffles, the scratchy throat, the cough that just won't quit. Most of the time, a cold or cough gets better in a week or two. But sometimes, things don't go as planned. These everyday illnesses can sometimes turn into something more serious. Dr. Chetan K. Ganteppanavar explains what can happen and when we should see a doctor.

Short-Term Problems: More Than Just a Sniffle

While most colds and coughs disappear on their own, they can sometimes cause other issues in the short term, such as:

• Sinus Trouble: That stuffy nose and pressure in our face? It could be a sinus infection (sinusitis).

This often happens after a cold and can give us a headache, facial pain, and thick, colored mucus.  

• Earaches: Kids especially get ear infections when they have a cold. This happens when the tube connecting the middle ear to the throat gets blocked.  

 

• Chest Congestion: A cough that just won't go away? It might be bronchitis, an infection in our lungs' airways. This gives us a nagging cough, often with mucus, and can make our chest feel tight.  

Long-Term Problems: When Things Drag On

Sometimes, a cold or cough can lead to longer-lasting health problems:

• Pneumonia: This is a serious lung infection. It can happen after a cold or flu. we'll likely have a high fever, chills, a really bad cough (sometimes with phlegm), and trouble breathing. This needs a doctor right away.  
• Asthma Trouble: If we have asthma, a cold can trigger an attack, making
• wheeze cough, and struggle to breathe.  
• Cough That Sticks Around: Sometimes, a cough hangs on for weeks or even months after a cold is gone. It's annoying, but usually gets better on its own.  

Dr. Chetan K. Ganteppanavar's Advice

Most cold and cough problems get better without a doctor. But Dr. Chetan K. Ganteppanavar says you should see a doctor if we have any of these:

• High fever (over 103°F in adults or 102°F in kids)
• Trouble breathing or feeling short of breath
• Chest pain
• Really bad headache or face pain
• Cough that lasts longer than two weeks
• Thick, colored mucus
• Ear pain or fluid coming out of your ear
• Symptoms getting worse

Stopping a Cold Before It Starts

The best way to avoid these problems is to not get sick in the first place. Dr. Chetan K. Ganteppanavar suggests washing our hands often, staying away from people who are sick, and getting enough rest. Flu shots are also a good way to stay healthy during flu season.