Does each moment of silence in your office tend to be interrupted by another cough or sneeze from across the way? These sounds are pretty common this time of year, but they also may signify something more serious.
Coughs that are connected to a common cold come with plenty of additional symptoms, making the cold easy to identify. If you have a cough you can’t shake, you may have a bigger problem.
In Northern Kentucky, a large concern is pertussis, or “whooping cough,” which has seen a significant increase in the area, according to the Northern Kentucky Independent Health District. Northern Kentucky has seen 31 cases since the start of November, an increase from just seven cases during the same span in 2014.
“The early symptoms of whooping cough are similar to the common cold and whooping cough is not often suspected or diagnosed until more severe symptoms appear,” explains Dr. Lynne Saddler, the department’s director of health.
After a few days with cold-like symptoms (a stuffy, runny nose and fever), coughing becomes punctuated with a whooping sound. Coughing can become so intense you may throw up or turn blue.
While pertussis cases remain rare – vaccines have helped prevent the disease since the 1940s – they have seen an upswing nationally since 2012, with more than 48,000 cases reported nationwide.
“Although vaccination protects most people against whooping cough, no vaccination is 100 percent effective,” adds Saddler. “Some people who are fully vaccinated may still become infected and have a mild case of the illness. In those instances, it is still important for people who are ill to stay home and avoid contact with others.”
And, of course, patients should consult their doctor. Pertussis is generally treated with antibiotics.
Other coughs carry their indicators for different illnesses. What to look out for:
WET, HACKING COUGH
If you just have a cold, you typically suffer from this kind of cough. If it lasts more than a few days, though, it could be the symptom of allergies or a sinus problem.
If you have the cough and are sneezing, but also have itchy eyes, it’s likely the result of allergies. During the winter months, we tend to stay indoors more and suffer the attacks of allergens like mold and dust mites. Over-the-counter antihistamines should help.
That wet hack could also point to sinus problems, though. If your cough is worse at night and just after you get up in the morning, and is accompanied by a tickle at the back of your throat and a bad taste in your mouth, it’s likely a symptom of sinus drainage. There are plenty of simple medications available to help with sinus congestion and drainage, but if you think your cough is sinus-related and continues for more than a week, see a doctor. You may have a sinus infection that will require antibiotics.
WET HACKING, WITH MUCUS
A persistent cough that produces a lot of mucus, particularly in the morning, may point to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which includes bronchitis and emphysema. If it continues for more than a few days, your doctor may want to perform a lung function test to rule out a more serious problem and treat it with medications like antibiotics, bronchodilators, and inhaled steroids.
If a dry cough becomes a wet cough accompanied by yellow, green, or red-tinged mucus, you may have pneumonia. If that’s the case, your doctor will need to determine if it’s bacterial or viral to dictate the care you need.
DRY COUGH
A dry cough, especially when you’ve recently started taking new medications, may point to an adverse reaction. ACE inhibitors, commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, cause a cough in about 20 percent of patients, for instance. Keep your doctor apprised of the situation, experts say. A medication switch may be in order.
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