Long COVID: How to manage wet cough due to long COVID

Many people are experiencing the signs of long COVID, with a cough being one of the most experienced signs, along with fever and loss of taste and smell. Cough can persist for weeks or months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Coughing is the body’s way of protecting the lungs and getting rid of things that irritate them. This is a normal and important function.

A productive cough, or a wet cough, is a cough that brings up mucus or phlegm. NHS UK notes that people may find that their chest remains productive with phlegm following an infection with COVID. If you experience the same, your breathing may be noisier than normal, and you may be short of breath following a chest infection. A phlegmatic or productive cough can become difficult to manage since you have to spit out the phlegm-filled sputum regularly.

Following breathing exercises can help you to effectively and efficiently clear your phlegm. Nonetheless, it is important not to force clearance and make sure you give yourself plenty of time to rest during and after. Staying hydrated is important. Apart from water, hot liquids like soups, broths and kadhas can be beneficial. Inhale steam at least twice or thrice a day to loosen the phlegm congested in your lungs.

Try to breathe in through your nose as breathing in through your mouth can make you cough more. Lie on either the left or the right side as flat as you can, instead of lying on your back. This might help drain the phlegm faster. Avoid things that make you cough, for example smoking, smoky atmospheres, air fresheners, strong smelling candles or strong perfumes and deodorants. You should also ensure that the sink where you dispose of your sputum is regularly disinfected.

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If your cough is not improving and you might be waking up at night due to coughing, then it is important to consult your doctor. Your cough might be changing, for example, coughing up blood or phlegm turning dirty. If your breathlessness is not improving and you're worried about possible long COVID symptoms, then consult your doctor for possible treatment and medication if required.

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Apart from coughing, long COVID can also cause memory issues, joint pain, chest pain, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, pounding heartbeat, depression or anxiety, dizziness when you stand, worsened symptoms after physical or mental activities, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.