Have you got the pesky 100-day cough? Here’s why you can’t shake it off and how to get better fast

ON the train, in the office and down the aisles of your local supermarket – everywhere you look, someone is coughing.

And this isn’t a 2024 thing. People seem to have been wheezing, croaking, hacking and spluttering for months now.

GettyCould whooping cough be the cause of your persistent cough?[/caption]

But what exactly is this pesky cough, and more importantly, how can you get rid of it?

Dr Simon Theobalds, a GP from Manchester, said: “Most viral infections last one to two weeks, but for some people it may be longer.

“There are various reasons for this, and this includes the different levels of immunity against infections that we have.

“People who suffer from other health conditions such as diabetes, asthma and lung disease like COPD may be more affected.

“Equally, people who are on medication which suppresses the immune system, such as steroids and immunosuppressants, may also be more affected.”

There are a number of potential cough causes, from heartburn to allergies, but the one on everybody’s lips is whooping cough.

Pertussis, as it is also known, is a lingering bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes.

It makes sufferers gasp for breath, have difficulty breathing and battle thick mucus, and it can last for several weeks or months, meaning it is often dubbed the ‘100-day cough‘.

It is frequently accompanied by other cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose and a sore throat, meaning it is often brushed off as harmless.

But whooping cough can be dangerous, particularly for babies under six months old who are at risk of dehydration, pneumonia, and seizures.

Older children and adults can also succumb to sore or fractured ribs, hernias, middle ear infections and urinary incontinence.

However, while cases are higher than normal right now (numbers were up 300 per cent in November 2023 compared to 2022), Dr Theobalds reckons your persistent cough is unlikely to be whooping variety.

Instead, it is probably as a result of a cold or flu.

The GP said: “It’s most likely not whooping cough, as children are vaccinated against this and it’s much less common in the UK.

“It’s most likely a common viral infection causing your cough – like the flu virus.”

Dr Unnati Desai, national GP lead at Nuffield Health, added: “About 95 per cent of winter coughs and colds in the UK are viral, and most will resolve themselves.

“But it can take up to four weeks for full resolution of all symptoms, such as fatigue, irritable cough and enlarged lymph nodes.

“If you are experiencing ongoing cold symptoms, it is likely that your immune system is working well and fighting off the infection.”

Other potential causes include:

Smoking

Heartburn (acid reflux)

Allergies (e.g. hay fever)

Infections (like bronchitis or Covid-19)

Mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose

Lung cancer (but this is rare)

So how do you get rid of it?

There is usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough, according to the NHS.

But you should rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid contact with other people.

Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can also be taken, as well as hot lemon and honey drinks and herbal medicine called pelargonium (if over the age of 12).

Pharmacists can also advise on the best cough syrups, medicines and sweets, as well as supplements.

Dr Theobalds said: “To lessen the symptoms, good old-fashioned ideas such as keeping warm, rest, having plenty of fluids and hot drinks can help.

“Seeing a pharmacist is a good first step and they can advise lots of over-the-counter medications that can help ease symptoms.

“Vitamin C and Zinc are both well known to help with the immune system and would be recommended.”

Dr Desai added that sleep and healthy food are also vital to getting better, and multivitamins can help too.

“Try A-Z multivitamins which will contain vitamins such as magnesium, selenium, zinc, iron, vitamin C and vitamin D,” she added.

However, if your cough really won’t budge, it might be time to call a doctor.

This is especially true if you start losing weight for no reason, or if you have a weakened immune system.

Dr Theobalds said: “If symptoms persist or worsen and you feel more unwell or have high fevers, we would recommend a GP appointment to have a full assessment and rule out more serious conditions such as pneumonia or sepsis.”

Dr Desai added: “With time and simple over-the-counter medicines, most people with a healthy immune system will eventually clear the infection.

“But any worsening symptoms should be reviewed by a doctor to ensure there is no underlying secondary bacterial infection present, or another underlying medical concern.

“Similarly, any persisting symptoms beyond six weeks should also be reviewed by a doctor to ensure there are no underlying concerns other than the viral infection.”

Ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 if:

Your cough is very bad or gets worse very quickly

You feel very unwell

You have chest pain

The side of your neck feels swollen or painful

You find it difficult to breathe

You cough up blood

If you do have whooping cough, antibiotics can help – but only if you start taking them within three weeks of your symptoms starting.

The best way to protect your family from it is by getting vaccinated.

The whooping cough vaccine is routinely given as part of the 6-in-1 vaccine for babies at eight, 12 and 16 weeks, and the 4-in-1 pre-school booster for children aged three years and four months.

If you’re pregnant you should also have the whooping cough jab – ideally between 16 and 32 weeks.