
And it can last as long as six months after the infection, according to the American Lung Association. How long does a cough last after COVID?Ī cough that shows up after COVID typically goes away within four weeks, says Dr. “Inflammation itself can lead to a cough causing fluid production in the airways, and because it causes inflammation in the airways, COVID-19 can cause a cough,” Dr. Other causes, like allergies, may last longer depending on the exposure. Most coughs caused by inflammation related to infection are dry coughs that resolve in four weeks. In many ways, coughs related to COVID are similar to the coughs caused by other viruses, allergies, or other infections that cause inflammation in the airways. And while it can be annoying, a lingering cough post-COVID is often a sign of healing because that's your lungs' way of clearing out dead cells, per the American Lung Association. Why does COVID cause a cough in the first place?Ĭoughing is a reflex that serves to expel foreign substances from the airway, according to Dr. Meet the expert: Luci Leykum, MD, is the director of primary care services at Harbor Health and a professor of internal medicine at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas in Austin.
#After effects of covid cough how to
Read on for what you need to know about a post-COVID cough, how to deal with it, and when to see a doctor. While you may have let your guard down a bit, you likely still want to do your best to protect yourself and act prudently if you do get sick.

“If it lasts longer than that, it could be related to long COVID, particularly if it is associated with other symptoms of long COVID such as brain fog, fatigue, or shortness of breath.” And ICYMI, long COVID is when symptoms linger even after you’re no longer testing positive for the virus or contagious. “Up to five percent of people have a lingering cough after COVID, usually lasting up to four weeks, though fewer than half of those people have a cough that lasts beyond four weeks,” she says. While a cough can be a sign of many illnesses (your run-of-the-mill cold, for one), it’s also a common symptom that people experience after coming down with COVID-19, according to Luci Leykum, MD, the director of primary care services at Harbor Health and a professor of internal medicine at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas in Austin. "How long does COVID cough last?" in particular is a question many are asking IRL and on social media. What may still take you by surprise, though, are the side effects that can linger for weeks after you've recovered.

Most of us know more people who’ve had it than not, and chances are you’ve had it yourself at least once. Believe it or not, we’re now going on year three of the COVID-19 pandemic.
