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66 COUGHS & COLDS FROM PAGE 65 “A cough might last for up to three weeks after symptoms of a cold have disappeared, and up to six weeks in children.” Some coughs will persist for an even longer period. Postnasal drip occurs when sinuses produce too much mucus. The mucus can drip down the throat, causing people to cough. Allergies are a common cause of postnasal drip.2 Infections can cause a cough that continues even after a respiratory infection has cleared up, and may be caused by disruption and hypersensitivity of the airways due to the infection.2 Underlying health conditions can additionally lead to or contribute to persistent coughing. This includes conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and cystic fibrosis. Acid reflux can also lead to persistent coughs.2 Ms Thistleton says that if a cough persists for longer than three weeks, following a cold, the patient should be directed to see a GP. Patients should also be directed to seek additional medical attention “if the cough is getting worse, or they’re short of breath, coughing up blood, or have an unexplained problem, such as weight loss or a fever”. “These symptoms may explain a more serious infection or other medical conditions,” Ms Thistleton said. When it comes to COPD, this is characterised by an excessive inflammatory response of the lungs to respiratory pollutants, more specifically, tobacco smoking.4 Systemic effects of COPD include inflammation, nutritional abnormalities and weight loss, and skeletal muscle dysfunction.4 Treating a lingering cough “It’s important that people also speak to their pharmacist about a cough and seek the appropriate treatment based on their medical history and symptoms,” Ms Thistleton said. “A range of OTC medications may assist, or, depending on your symptoms, may require an additional referral.” Opioid derivatives are commonly sold as cough suppressants to TO PAGE 68 “A cough might last for up to three weeks after symptoms of a cold have disappeared, and up to six weeks in children.” RETAIL PHARMACY • MAY 2021