Hyderabad: Cough is the most common complaint during monsoon, but most people do not undergo a full regimen of treatment for it, leaving themselves vulnerable to a long bout of dry cough.
It may not be life-threatening, but dry cough’s not a trivial matter either – the Journal of The Associations of Physicians of India says that general physicians have reported that over 80 per cent of their patients had complained of disturbed sleep due to dry cough.
The problem with cough is that it is not taken seriously as people tend to think it will come under control, but it does not.
Prof. Dr P.S. Shankar, senior general physician, says, “During monsoon, the virus and bacteria in the air affect people. While the cold lasts for a week, the cough takes a longer time to subside. Cough persists as the bacteria continue to irritate the lungs, causing sleep disturbance, fatigue, headache, dizziness and chest pain. Most patients complain of aggravated episodes at night, due to which their work suffers during the day.”
Experts say a full regimen of treatment with cough suppressants must be taken for quicker relief. When that’s not done, the cough can persist for more than three weeks and infection can spread to the rest of the body. Dr Pramod Kumar, pulmonologist, says, “Patients come in with symptoms of nasal congestion, bouts of coughing and sneezing, fatigue, body ache, watery eyes and loss of appetite. This is because their immune system is not strong enough to fight seasonal infections.
Apart from medicines, they must take a healthy diet, adequate fluids and a regular exercise regime to help the body fight the viruses. Rest and sleep are important, but often ignored.”
Doctors also say that those suffering from cough must also keep themselves in isolation, and especially avoid going to crowded places, to avoid spreading the virus. Most people ignore this caution, however.
Also, it is important to follow cough etiquette – to cover one’s mouth with the palm before coughing, and to wash hands before touching any surface.
One must also not cough onto the mobile phone, as virus and bacteria tend to thrive in the heat emitted by the phones. It’s a good idea to clean these phones once a week and to avoid passing them on to others.
Physician Dr Ram Babu says, “At home, phones are passed on to parents, children and grandparents. With that, one is also passing on the cough virus, and so the whole family gets affected. We must be mindful of these small aspects to avoid transmitting cold and cough.”
Health matters
- One must also not cough onto the mobile phone, as virus and bacteria tend to thrive in the heat emitted by the phones.
- It’s a good idea to clean these phones once a week and to avoid passing them on to others.
- Physician Dr Ram Babu says, “At home, phones are passed on to parents, children and grandparents. With that, one is also passing on the cough virus, and so the whole family gets affected. We must be mindful of these small aspects to avoid transmitting cold and cough.”
