4 health problems that are easily mistaken for a lingering cold

Adults can expect to catch a cold 2-3 times a year, while children get more. Colds usually go away after 7-10 days. If a cold lasts longer than that, it may be due to another health problem.

One of the first causes to consider when a cold lasts is catching a new cold. Colds are caused by viruses. When you get sick, your immune system will be activated to kill the pathogen. But right after that, you can completely catch another cold but it will be caused by a new cold virus, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

A persistent cough after a cold may be due to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In addition, prolonged cold symptoms can also be caused by the following health problems:

Side effects of the drug

Coughing is often the last symptom of a cold. However, if a cough persists, it may not be the cold itself but the side effects of the medication. In fact, a dry cough that won't go away is often a side effect of ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril, benazepril, and ramipril.

The sign to recognize this condition is that besides coughing, the patient will not have any other symptoms such as stuffy nose, sore throat or sinus tension.

Allergy

If you continue to have a runny nose and cough after 7-10 days of having a cold, the cause may be allergies. Depending on the time of year, allergy symptoms may last longer and be accompanied by itchy, watery eyes.

Sinusitis

Sometimes, when the cold symptoms start to go away, symptoms such as sinus pressure, nasal congestion, headache, and fever appear again. This is because colds cause a runny nose and nasal congestion, which create favorable conditions for bacteria to grow, leading to sinusitis. This condition usually occurs 10 to 14 days after the onset of the cold. The person needs to be treated with medication.

Asthma or COPD

If you have had a cold for more than 10 days and your cough and wheezing persist, it could be asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma is often diagnosed in childhood, while some cases are diagnosed in adulthood. COPD is more common in older adults, especially smokers, according to Medical News Today.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/4-van-de-suc-khoe-de-tuong-nham-la-cam-lanh-keo-dai-185250107153653227.htm