airway hyperresponsiveness

What Causes a Persistent Dry Cough That Lingers for Months After an Illness?

1. Introduction A persistent dry cough that lingers for months after an illness is typically caused by post-viral airway hyperresponsiveness and prolonged cellular inflammation. Even after the primary respiratory virus is eradicated, the epithelial lining of the respiratory tract remains damaged and exquisitely sensitive to minor environmental stimuli. This ongoing sensory nerve irritation triggers a … Read more

When should I worry about a persistent dry cough that lasts for weeks?

1. Introduction A persistent dry cough lasting longer than eight weeks is clinically classified as chronic and should be systematically evaluated by a medical professional. While an acute cough is a normal, vital biological defense mechanism designed to aggressively clear the airways of sudden irritants, mucus, or foreign bodies during a brief infection, an unyielding, … Read more