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World

WHO urges ‘immediate action’ after cough syrup deaths

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LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) – The World Health Organization has called for “immediate and concerted action” to protect children from contaminated medicines after a spate of child deaths linked to cough syrups last year.

In 2022, more than 300 children – mainly aged under 5 – in Gambia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan died of acute kidney injury, in deaths that were associated with contaminated medicines, the WHO said in a statement on Monday.

The medicines, over-the-counter cough syrups, had high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

“These contaminants are toxic chemicals used as industrial solvents and antifreeze agents that can be fatal even taken in small amounts, and should never be found in medicines,” the WHO said.

As well as the countries above, the WHO told Reuters on Monday that the Philippines, Timor Leste, Senegal and Cambodia may potentially be impacted because they may have the medicines on sale. It called for action across its 194 member states to prevent more deaths.

[1/4] Logo of Marion Biotech, a healthcare and pharmaceutical company is seen on a gate outside their office in Noida, India, December 29, 2022. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

“Since these are not isolated incidents, WHO calls on various key stakeholders engaged in the medical supply chain to take immediate and coordinated action,” WHO said.

The WHO has already sent specific product alerts in October and earlier this month, asking for the medicines to be removed from the shelves, for cough syrups made by India’s Maiden Pharmaceuticals and Marion Biotech, which are linked with deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan respectively.

It also issued a warning last year for cough syrups made by four Indonesian manufacturers, PT Yarindo Farmatama, PT Universal Pharmaceutical, PT Konimex and PT AFI Pharma, that were sold domestically.

The companies involved have either denied that their products have been contaminated or declined to comment while investigations are ongoing.

The WHO reiterated its call for the products flagged above to be removed from circulation, and called more widely for countries to ensure that any medicines for sale are approved by competent authorities. It also asked governments and regulators to assign resources to inspect manufacturers, increase market surveillance and take action where required.

It called on manufacturers to only buy raw ingredients from qualified suppliers, test their products more thoroughly and keep records of the process. Suppliers and distributors should check for signs of falsification and only distribute or sell medicines authorised for use, the WHO added.

Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Christina Fincher

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Health

Cough Medicine Could Be Used in New Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease

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Summary: Ambroxol, a common medicine used to treat respiratory illnesses shows promise as a treatment to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers report ambroxol increases the level of GCase, a protein that allows cells to remove waste proteins including alpha-synuclein.

Source: UCL

Ambroxol is a drug which is currently used to treat respiratory conditions. It promotes the clearance of mucus, eases coughing and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Pre-clinical studies, led By Professor Schapira at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology identified ambroxol as a candidate drug to slow the progression of Parkinson’s.

Results of the Phase 2 clinical trial by Professor Schapira and performed at UCL was published in January 2020 and tested ambroxol in people with Parkinson’s. It found that ambroxol was able effectively reach the brain and increase levels of a protein known as GCase (glucocerebrosidase). GCase allows cells to remove waste proteins, including alpha-synuclein (a protein that builds up in Parkinson’s and is thought to be important in its cause), more effectively.

Additionally, the Phase 2 trial showed that ambroxol was safe for people with Parkinson’s and was well tolerated.

The world-first Phase 3 trial, named ASPro-PD, is led by Professor Anthony Schapira and is in partnership with U.K. charity Cure Parkinson’s and Van Andel Institute—following eight years of work with the Parkinson’s community.

The trial will involve 330 people with Parkinson’s across 10–12 clinical centers in the U.K. It will be placebo controlled and participants will take ambroxol for two years.

The effectiveness of ambroxol will be measured by its ability to slow the progression of Parkinson’s using a scale including quality of life and movement. Preparations for recruitment of trial participants have already started.

Professor Schapira, said, “I am delighted to be leading this exciting project. This will be the first time a drug specifically applied to a genetic cause of Parkinson’s disease has reached this level of trial and represents ten years of extensive and detailed work in the laboratory and in a proof of principle clinical trial.

“The study design is the result of valuable input from people with Parkinson’s, leaders in the field of Parkinson’s, trial design and statistics from the UCL Comprehensive Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU), the MHRA and a consortium of funders led by Cure Parkinson’s, all operating as an effective team to ensure we have reached this stage.

“We look forward to working with all these groups to ensure successful completion of the study.”

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It found that ambroxol was able effectively reach the brain and increase levels of a protein known as GCase (glucocerebrosidase). Image is in the public domain

After the Phase 2 data from Professor Schapira’s group at UCL found that ambroxol could increase the removal of alpha-synuclein, the international Linked Clinical Trials (iLCT) program prioritized research into the drug.

Created and operated by Cure Parkinson’s and Van Andel Institute, the iLCT program’s mission is to slow, stop and reverse the progression of Parkinson’s. It aims to significantly reduce the time to bring disease-modifying treatments to clinic for the Parkinson’s community by testing promising drugs that already have extensive safety data and, in some cases, have been approved by regulators for other medical conditions.

Will Cook, CEO of Cure Parkinson’s, said, “This trial is a big step forward in the search to find new treatments for Parkinson’s. Once the ambroxol trial is underway, it will be one of only six Phase 3 trials on public record of potentially disease-modifying drugs in Parkinson’s, worldwide.

“We at Cure Parkinson’s are working hard—through our efforts within the iLCT program and in our fundraising efforts—to increase this number significantly in the next few years, to accelerate our progress towards a cure for Parkinson’s.”

About this Parkinson’s disease and neuropharmacology research news

Author: Poppy Danby 
Source: UCL
Contact: Poppy Danby  – UCL
Image: The image is in the public domain

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Health

How Long Does COVID Cough Last? An MD Explains Why It Can Linger

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Believe it or not, we’re now going on year three of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of us know more people who’ve had it than not, and chances are you’ve had it yourself at least once. What may still take you by surprise, though, are the side effects that can linger for weeks after you’ve recovered. “How long does COVID cough last?” in particular is a question many are asking IRL and on social media.

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.

“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. “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.

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. Read on for what you need to know about a post-COVID cough, how to deal with it, and when to see a doctor.

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.

Why does COVID cause a cough in the first place?

Coughing is a reflex that serves to expel foreign substances from the airway, according to Dr. Leykum. 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.

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. Most coughs caused by inflammation related to infection are dry coughs that resolve in four weeks. Other causes, like allergies, may last longer depending on the exposure.

“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. Leykum explains.

How long does a cough last after COVID?

A cough that shows up after COVID typically goes away within four weeks, says Dr. Leykum. And it can last as long as six months after the infection, according to the American Lung Association.

Some risk factors that may make some people more sensitive to coughing include smoking, vaping, pollution, allergies, or asthma.“It can take time for all of the inflammation related to COVID to go away, and each person is different with regard to how long this can take,” Dr. Leykum notes.

Is a lingering COVID cough contagious?

The good news is a lingering cough does not necessarily mean someone is still contagious. “For people with mild to moderate COVID-19, the CDC recommends wearing a mask for 10 days after symptom onset, and for people who have severe illness, the recommendation is to isolate for 20 days and resolution of fever for at least 24 hours,” Dr. Leykum says. “After that period, people are unlikely to be infectious, [but] if there is a concern, wearing a mask would be reasonable.”

How do you get rid of a COVID cough?

The lingering coughs related to COVID are usually dry coughs, which means you won’t feel the urge to cough anything up.

A COVID cough typically goes away within four weeks but can linger for as long as six months.

“These coughs generally get better with time, typically within a few weeks,” Dr. Leykum says. “You can soothe your throat by drinking warm drinks with honey, taking sips of water or tea if you feel like you are going to cough, taking lozenges, and keeping yourself well hydrated.”

When should you see a doctor about a COVID cough?

Even though it may seem like we’re past the state of alarm the pandemic initially induced, you still want to take any case of COVID and its symptoms seriously. If you have a lingering cough that lasts longer than a month, Dr. Leykum recommends seeing your healthcare provider.

Experiencing coughing or breathlessness for more than three months also signals that you should check in with your doc ASAP, per the American Lung Association, because it could be a sign of post-COVID interstitial lung disease, which is a condition characterized by scarring in the lungs. Early detection and treatment can stop the progression of the disease.

“You should see someone sooner If your cough changes or gets worse, if you start coughing up more phlegm or have trouble breathing, or if you develop new fevers or other symptoms,” Dr. Leykum says. “People should always feel comfortable seeking medical help if they are uncertain or concerned.”

The bottom line: A COVID cough should clear up in four weeks. It may stick around longer if you have long COVID, which is usually accompanied by other symptoms like brain fog and fatigue.

Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor. In addition to Women’s Health, she has contributed health, fitness and wellness content to Runner’s World, SELF, Prevention, Healthline, and POPSUGAR, among other publications. She is also a 10-time marathoner, frequent traveler and avid amateur baker.

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Health

Is dry cough COVID, RSV or flu? Here are the most common symptoms

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If it feels like everyone you know is getting sick, that’s because they are. The Bay Area is getting pummeled with a triple threat of viruses.

COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus cases are surging across the region and the nation, making it harder than ever to determine what is causing your dry cough or runny nose. The infections cause similar symptoms, but it’s important to know how to tell them apart to get proper treatment and avoid spreading them to others.

“Distinguishing COVID from flu can be difficult because the symptoms overlap so much,” said Dr. Brooke Bozick, an expert on respiratory diseases with the National Institutes of Health.

COVID-19 shares several common symptoms with the flu — including fever, dry cough, body aches and fatigue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But many familiar indicators of a coronavirus infection have evolved as newer variants emerge and immunity from vaccination or prior infection increases.

“As our bodies become more experienced with COVID, the symptoms are milder overall,” said Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.

A runny nose, headache or sore throat could now precede a positive coronavirus test result with one of the many offshoots of omicron, while the flu usually begins with a cough. Signs of a common cold can include sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes.

Some COVID indicators reported during earlier phases of the pandemic, such as loss of taste and smell, are less common now.

People infected with the flu typically develop symptoms about one to four days after infection. COVID-19 symptoms develop three to four days after being infected, but some people can show signs as early as two days or as late as 14 days after infection.

RSV, which mainly affects children and seniors, typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms — like runny nose, coughing or wheezing — from which most people will recover quickly. In infants under 6 months old, the only indicators of RSV might be irritability, decreased activity and appetite and pauses in breathing, per the CDC.

But RSV can also lead to more severe infections like bronchiolitis or pneumonia, with such outcomes more likely among the youngest and oldest patients.

Testing is recommended to diagnose the specific virus, but here are some common symptoms to help you determine what’s making you sick.

Common COVID-19 symptoms

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported — from a runny nose to severe illness. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the CDC. Here are some of the most common.

• Fever, chills

• Headache

• Cough, dry cough

• Body aches or or muscle pain

• Fatigue

• Stuffy or runny nose

• Sore throat

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

Common influenza (flu) symptoms

Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly, and people who are sick can feel some or all of these symptoms.

• Fever, chills

• Headache

• Cough

• Body aches or or muscle pain

• Fatigue

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV) symptoms

People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within four to six days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include the following.

• Fever (low grade)

• Headache

• Cough

• Stuffy or runny nose

• Loss of appetite

• Sneezing

Common cold symptoms

Symptoms of a cold usually peak within 2 to 3 days and can include the following.

• Cough

• Stuffy or runny nose

• Sore throat

• Sneezing

It is possible to get infected by more than one of the circulating viruses at the same time, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency.

“We’re talking about these infections as independent actors, as though people who get one virus at one time, can’t get another virus at the exact same time — or sometimes even worse, a bacterial infection — and this is certainly not the case,” he said. “Some of the hardest times that I’ve faced as a clinician is when kids who are infected with one virus come in with a second on top of that. They’re not just additive. It’s such a strain on one’s immune system that the situation often looks worse.”

You should seek emergency medical attention for more severe symptoms, whether caused by a single infection or a “super infection.” These include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, the inability to wake up or stay awake, or discoloration of the skin, lips, or nail beds,

Public health experts say vaccination is the first line of defense against avoiding symptomatic infection. While vaccines for flu and COVID-19 are widely available, there are no shots available to prevent RSV. “The power of vaccines to reduce not just the likelihood that you get infected altogether, but the likelihood of severe disease is real,” Ghaly said.

A proportion of people who get COVID-19 can experience persistent symptoms that last weeks or even months after the initial infection.

About 200 symptoms of so-called long COVID have been identified to date, with a list maintained by the CDC highlighting 20 of the most commonly reported. These range from fatigue and heart palpitations to neurological complications and digestive disorders.

Bay Area residents should follow the familiar preventative measures to curb the spread of all of the viruses. That includes wearing high-quality masks when indoors, washing their hands often, and staying home when sick.

There are also several treatments available for those who are experiencing symptoms, including Tamiflu for influenza and Paxlovid for those who are at high risk for severe COVID-19.

“Getting treatment as quickly as possible if indicated is a key step,” Ghaly said.

Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com

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Health

New FDA warning links cough medicine to rise in child poisonings

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Parents and medical providers are being called on to be careful with prescription cough medication as overdoses among children are on the rise.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that pediatric poisonings involving the drug benzonatate, sold under the brand name Tessalon, have increased each year.

Most cases of unintentional exposures involved children 5 and under, according to the study.

Benzonatate is used as a cough relief for people ages 10 and older.

FDA

Benzonatate, a prescription drug approved for cough relief in patients over 10 years old.

The FDA says on its website that the medication’s safety and effectiveness for children under the age of 10 has not been established and that “accidental ingestion resulting in death has been reported” in children under 10.

The signs and symptoms of an overdose of benzonatate may start as soon as 15 minutes after ingestion and may include choking, tremors and restlessness, according to the FDA.

The agency said convulsions, coma and cardiac arrest leading to death have been reported within one hour of ingesting benzonatate, which comes in capsule form.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says it is especially important not to give cough medicine to children with asthma, at any age, as ingredients in suppressants can cause severe exacerbations.

Doctors recommend honey alone or with warm water or tea to help alleviate cough symptoms for children over 2 years old. But caution that this is dangerous for children less than 2 years old due to botulism risk.

The study calls on doctors and medical providers who are prescribing benzonatate to give detailed instructions on the proper administration and storage of the medication.

Parents are also being called on to keep the drug out of the reach of children.

“Accessibility to medical products at home presents a risk for unintentional ingestion in young children as oral exploration is a normal part of development in infants, and young children may be enticed to consume objects that resemble candy,” the study’s authors wrote.

The tips include keeping medicines out of sight and out of the reach of children by storing them in their original packages in locked cabinets or containers.

Parents should never leave their children alone with medicine and should remind babysitters, grandparents and other caregivers to keep purses or jackets that may contain medicine out of the reach of kids, according to the AAP.

When giving a child any medicine, the AAP recommends doing it away from a common area of the home and following directions exactly, paying attention to the correct dosage and strength. Contact your child’s pediatrician before giving your child any new medication, or with any questions or concerns regarding medication use.

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Health

Doctors Find Masses in Man’s Lungs After Cough Didn’t Clear for Weeks

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  • A man got a cough at the same time as his family, but after six weeks they’d got better and he hadn’t.
  • He had hoped he would “just” need antibiotics to get over his illness, the ER doctor treating him wrote.
  • An X-ray revealed a large mass in his right lung that was “highly suspicious” for cancer, she wrote.

Doctors found masses in a man’s lungs that were “highly suspicious” for cancer, after he got cold-like symptoms at the same time as his family but they recovered and he didn’t, according to the emergency doctor that treated him. 

The man, referred to only as Jason, went to the Emergency Room because he had felt unwell for six weeks and hoped he would just need antibiotics to “finally get over” his illness, Dr. Erika Kube, an emergency physician at Mid-Ohio Emergency Services, wrote in The Columbus Dispatch. But X-rays showed he had several masses in both of his lungs.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states. Around 236,740 people in the US will get diagnosed with the condition this year and 130,180 people will die from it, the American Cancer Society estimates.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of the cancer, according to the CDC. People with family members who have had the condition may also be at increased risk — but we don’t know whether that is due to genetics, or because they might also smoke, or also get exposed to chemicals in the environment, like radon, that can cause it too.

Jason thought he’d caught a cold, as he typically did during fall

Jason, who had smoked cigarettes since he was a teen, had a cough, intermittent fevers, and felt tired — taking naps multiple times a week, which was unusual for him, Kube wrote.

Jason told Kube that he and his family members experienced similar cold-like symptoms at the start of his illness, and he thought that was the cause because he typically caught one every fall. Multiple tests showed that Jason and his family didn’t have COVID.

However, he became concerned when his family got better and he continued to cough. He didn’t improve despite eating a healthier diet, taking vitamins, and smoking less. Smoking cigarettes caused “terrible coughing fits,” Kube wrote. 

Jason would feel better for a “few days,” but then feel “lousy” again, she wrote. 

According to the CDC, symptoms of lung cancer include: a cough that gets worse or doesn’t go away, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, unexplained weight loss, coughing up blood, feeling tired, and bouts of chest infections. 

A large mass in his right lung was ‘highly suspicious’ for cancer

A chest X-ray revealed a large mass in his right lung and “several smaller masses” in both lungs that were “highly suspicious” for cancer, Kube wrote. Kube admitted him to hospital for further tests to confirm the diagnosis — it’s possible Jason had a cold or chest infection as well as lung cancer — and figure out a plan for treatment.

Kube said that when she told Jason, whose father had died from lung cancer, about X-ray findings, he “took a deep breath and let out a large sigh.” 

“He knew something was wrong several weeks prior when he didn’t bounce back like he typically did when he was sick,” she wrote.

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Health

FDA clears whooping cough vaccine for use during pregnancy to protect newborns

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Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, August 29, 2020.

Andrew Kelly | Reuters

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a vaccine for use in the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent whooping cough in newborn infants.

The vaccine, called Boostrix, is made by GlaxoSmithKline. It is the first vaccine the FDA has approved to prevent a disease in young infants by giving the shot to their mothers during pregnancy, said Dr. Peter Marks, the agency’s chief vaccine official.

The vaccine, which is administered as a single dose, was 78% effective in preventing whooping cough in newborns when given to mothers during the third trimester, according to data evaluated by the FDA. No side effects on the pregnancy, fetus or newborn were observed.

The most common side effects for people who receive the vaccine are pain at the injection site, headache and fatigue.

Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious health complications in babies. Infants younger than two months are not old enough to receive protection through the normal childhood vaccination series for the disease.

The vaccine allows mothers to protect their newborns by getting the shot while they are pregnant. While whooping cough can affect all age groups, most cases of hospitalization and death occur infants younger than two months old, according to FDA.

The FDA had previously approved Boostrix for use during pregnancy to protect the mother against disease, but had not cleared it specifically to prevent whooping cough in newborns. The vaccine was first approved in 2005 to protect people ages 10 to 18 years old against whooping cough and then later for everyone ages 19 and older.

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World

Maiden Pharma: Gambia child deaths linked to cough syrups made in India, says WHO

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The deaths of dozens of young children in Gambia from acute kidney injuries may be linked to contaminated cough and cold syrups made by an Indian drug manufacturer, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.

The findings, announced by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, followed tests on several medicinal syrups that were suspected of causing 66 child deaths in the tiny West African country.

Tedros told reporters that the UN agency was conducting an investigation with Indian regulators and the company that made the syrups, New Delhi-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Maiden Pharma declined to comment, while calls and messages to the Drugs Controller General of India went unanswered.

The WHO issued a medical product alert on Wednesday asking regulators to remove Maiden Pharma goods from the market.

The products may have been distributed elsewhere through informal markets, but had so far been identified only in Gambia, the WHO said in its alert.

The alert covers four products: Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.

Lab analysis confirmed “unacceptable” amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can be toxic and lead to acute kidney injury, the WHO said.

Medical officers in Gambia raised the alarm in July, after dozens of children began falling ill with kidney problems. The deaths confounded medics before a pattern emerged: dozens of patients younger than five were falling ill three to five days after taking a locally sold paracetamol syrup.

Gambia’s director of health services, Mustapha Bittaye, said similar problems have been detected in other syrups but that the ministry is awaiting confirmation of the results.

He said the number of deaths has tapered off in recent weeks and that the sale of products made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals was banned. However, until recently, some of the syrups were still being sold in private clinics and in hospitals, he said.

Gambia’s Medicines Control Agency sent a letter on Tuesday to health professionals ordering them to stop selling any of the products listed by WHO.

Maiden Pharmaceuticals manufactures medicines at its facilities in India, which it then sells domestically as well as exporting them to countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, according to its website.

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Health

What to Do About a Lingering Cough After Covid

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If you’ve been unlucky enough to have come down with a Covid-19 infection (or more than one), you likely know at this point that you’re far from alone. Hopefully you’re fully vaccinated and ended up with a mild case with minor symptoms. But if you’ve had a lingering cough, chances are you may feel a bit concerned about it and the possibility of experiencing long Covid.

According to Suneet Singh, M.D., an emergency medicine physician and medical director at CareHive Health in Austin, Texas, research in May 2021 showed that a Covid-related cough tends to appear as early as one day into your infection and typically persists for up to 19 days.

For 5% of people, the cough may hang around for more than four weeks.

Previously reported by Men’s Health, the most common symptoms of earlier infection strains included cough, fever, intense muscle aches, a loss of taste or smell. In very severe cases, as well as chest pressure and shortness of breath in severe cases. A cough can be one of the most annoying ones to try to decipher because it could be anything from a cold to the flu to a simple sore throat on its own. So how can you differentiate it?

“The cough that comes with COVID is generally dry and should eventually heal itself,” he says. “The irritation in the airways will resolve after the infection and the cascade of inflammation it creates has cleared.”

Here’s what you need to know about how to treat a lingering cough after having Covid.

How to stop a lingering cough after Covid

The good news is that, when recovering from Covid and treating a lingering cough, over-the-counter medications such as cough suppressants and throat lozenges can be helpful. Herbal remedies such as teas can also help to reduce your symptoms, similarly to when you’re dealing with a cold or flu.

When to see a doctor about a lingering cough after Covid

If you’ve experienced any Covid symptoms for more than four weeks, including a lingering cough, breathing problems, or anything else so severe that it limits the quality of your life, you should seek medical attention, Dr. Singh says. Lingering symptoms may be a sign that you’re experiencing long Covid, in which you experience symptoms and long-term effects of a Covid-19 infection for an extended period of time.

“With the rise in telemedicine, seeing a provider has never been easier,” he says. “Based on your evaluation, they may choose to order prescription medications to suppress the cough, reduce inflammation, or open up the airways. Based on your individual circumstances, they may choose to obtain an X-ray of your chest as well.”

The bottom line: If you’re feeling unwell, do your best to avoid exposing others as you try to recover. It’s also key to highlight that you’re less likely to experience short-term and long-term symptoms or require hospitalization for a Covid-19 infection if you’re fully vaccinated and boosted. So if you’ve still held out on getting your vaccine, make your first appointment today and make sure to complete the full series.


Emilia Benton is a Houston-based freelance writer and editor.

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How Omicron can affect your gut; symptoms to watch out for | Health

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Suffering from vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain without fever? It could be due to Omicron infection, and experts say one should get tested for Covid if you have these abdominal complaints even without respiratory symptoms or fever.

Omicron can affect your gut apart from upper respiratory tract and the abdominal symptoms are becoming common in people infected with the new strain. Even people who are vaccinated are experiencing these new symptoms.

Some of the new symptoms of covid-19 include nausea, abdominal ache, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhoea.

ALSO READ: Recovered from Omicron? Tips to regain stamina by an expert

“The people may initially present with abdominal symptoms without any respiratory complaints. The presenting complaints could be back ache, abdominal ache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. This could be due to Omicron infecting the gut mucosa and the resulting inflammation,” says Dr Manoj Goel, Director, Pulmonology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.

The expert says that even though double-vaccinated people are also coming forward with complaints of abdominal issues, these symptoms are not adverse and not of much concern.

“Do not pass off abdominal pain, nausea and loss of appetite as a normal flu, if you have symptoms, isolate yourself. Avoid self-medication including so-called safe Ayurvedic treatment without consulting your doctor. Try and maintain good hydration, eat frequent, small, wholesome and light meals including nuts. Avoid spicy food and alcohol. Symptoms if mild might not be of concern,” says Dr Goel.

“One should test for Covid if you have abdominal complaints even without respiratory symptoms or fever as this could be due to Omicron infection,” he added.

Tips to manage gut symptoms like nausea and vomiting if you are infected with Omicron, as per the expert

* People should eat fresh cooked food maintaining good hand hygiene.

* Avoid sharing meals with others.

* All raw fruits should be thoroughly washed before consuming.

* Avoid eating outside food and even if you are vaccinated, maintain all covid safety protocol.

Omicron, the latest variant of concern, is spreading fast as scientists across the world conduct studies to understand it better, and is likely to become a dominant strain soon. The variant not only spreads more efficiently than delta variant, causing mostly mild disease, but is also said to be capable of reinfecting people who have had Covid infection previously or even double vaccinated.

As per experts, the symptoms of Omicron mimic features of common flu and affects upper respiratory tract. According to Centre for Disease Control (CDC), some of the common symptoms associated with Omicron are cough, fatigue, congestion and runny nose. Scientists have also noted that loss of smell and taste appear to be less common among people recently testing positive for this latest strain.

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