Have a cough that just won’t quit? Here’s what it may be

As respiratory illnesses surge across the country, the persistence of a cough that just won't quit may be prompting some to wonder if there is a deeper underlying issue.

As respiratory illnesses surge across the country, the persistence of a cough that just won’t quit may be prompting some to wonder if there is a deeper underlying issue.

This lingering cough is what Nicholas Vozoris, an assistant professor and staff respirologist at Saint Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, calls a “post-infectious cough” and it can last as long as eight weeks.

“This is a cough that seems to linger after the other infectious symptoms settle down,” he said. “And this post-infectious cough is known to possibly occur with viral or bacterial respiratory tract infections.”

While doctors like Vozoris have long been familiar with post-infectious cough as a condition, he believes it may not be widely recognized by the public.

He noted that many patients are often surprised when hearing about this diagnosis. But it’s very common during cold and flu season, and Canada is currently in the thick of it.

The latest available Health Canada data shows a slight decrease in reported influenza infections from Dec. 31 to Jan. 6 compared to the previous weeks. However, Health Canada said cases “remain at elevated levels.”

Vozoris acknowledges that a lot of people are suffering from the lingering cough and may be worried about whether to see a doctor or not.

“It can be annoying, but usually it’s not concerning. It typically peters out on its own with time without other interventions. Usually what’s done for post-infection is just reassurance and waiting,” he said.