# The "cough" that everyone got this past winter-spring. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 24, 2012, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794 "2012-04-24T10:58:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/1 "2012-04-24T10:58:33Z")
Not a personal medical question and I"d prefer if people can link to medical sources rather than give their opinion of what it was and what happened. I noticed it at work in February here in Norther Ohio. We had the warmest February in History. But, multiple cow-orkers came down with what appeared to be a cold with a serious cough, and the cough lasted for weeks and months in some cases. Many of them missed work multiple days. The long lasting cough is the identifying part of the illness. I know two workers who have it six weeks later. I _think_ this occurred in multiple places in the US(not sure about outside the us). Again, looking for a scientific answer, preferably with specific links. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/2 "2012-04-24T11:29:20Z")
Definitely happened in New York. Every train ride for about 2 months included constant hacking from many riders. My boss has had it for literally 3 months and it continues. Eta: sorry, missed the scientific answer request ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/3 "2012-04-24T11:49:40Z")
I had it too (MI.) by reading online, seemed to fit tHe description of bronchitis. Someone at work who had the same thing went to the doctor and that’s what he was told he had. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/4 "2012-04-24T12:01:32Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Not a personal medical question and I"d prefer if people can link to medical sources rather than give their opinion of what it was and what happened. > > I noticed it at work in February here in Norther Ohio. We had the warmest February in History. But, multiple cow-orkers came down with what appeared to be a cold with a serious cough, and the cough lasted for weeks and months in some cases. Many of them missed work multiple days. The long lasting cough is the identifying part of the illness. I know two workers who have it six weeks later. > > I _think_ this occurred in multiple places in the US(not sure about outside the us). > > Again, looking for a scientific answer, preferably with specific links. can’t help with links-I am coughing too much. It has been awful. Louisiana. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/5 "2012-04-24T12:44:20Z")
I wonder if it’s found in the same areas as [whooping cough](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pertussis) (pertussis) outbreaks in kids. Adults don’t get the classic “whoop” sound of intake of breath (a desperate attempt to breathe between violent coughing spasms) that kids do, to the best of my understanding, and lots of adults have not had their diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus combined boosters (IIRC they’re only good for 10 years). The prolonged cough also matches the “100 days’ cough” name given in the link. FWIW, I have heard similar complaints about coughs around the hospital I work in (IANAD/N), and the Chicago area has had whooping cough outbreaks this year and last. (BTW, even if it’s not whooping cough causing this, adults should go get that booster. You can pass on the disease to a not-yet-vaccinated baby without even realizing, and whooping cough is agonizing for little kids. It can cause severe difficulty with breathing, lead to damage from violent coughing like broken ribs, or even kill.) ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/6 "2012-04-24T12:46:28Z")
I think it’s what ultimately killed my dad a few weeks ago. ☹ It’s been pretty bad here. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/7 "2012-04-24T13:24:37Z")
When I lived in Williamsburg, VA, viral bronchitis would rage through the campus during the cool, wet winters. I had it several times with a brutal, persistant cough that made my stomach muscles sore for weeks – and no it was not pertussis – as far as I know you can’t have pertussis 5 times in 4 years, and anyway I was vaccinated as a child AND always up to date with my DPTs because I worked with horses. Cold viruses spread best when its cold – but not so cold that people stay inside all the time, and New York and Ohio had an uncommonly warm, humid winter, perfect for socializing and sharing viruses. That said, I ride the subway every day also and have not noticed a greater number of hacking coughs than in a usual winter. ---
**Author:** ![SubaRhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@SubaRhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SubaRhubarb)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/8 "2012-04-24T13:38:54Z")
I am not exactly sure what you are asking. If you are looking for information on the Geographic spread of the flu (which can cause pneumonia, hence the cough) this should help. [http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/](http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/) ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/9 "2012-04-24T13:54:03Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I had it too (MI.) by reading online, seemed to fit tHe description of bronchitis. Someone at work who had the same thing went to the doctor and that’s what he was told he had. Bronchitis is like red or watery eyes. Any number of things – viral or bacterial – can result in bronchitis. You can’t do a bronchitis culture. Diagnosis: watery eyes. I know I have watery eyes, but why? Is it an allergen, infection… Diagnosis: brochitis. I know I have bronchitis, but why? Is it an allergen, infection… 😕 Causes, incidence, and risk factors Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection. At first, it affects your nose, sinuses, and throat and then spreads to the lungs. Sometimes, you may get another (secondary) bacterial infection in the airways.This means that bacteria infect the airways, in addition to the virus. Lacking cultures… it’s guesswork. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002078/](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002078/) ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/10 "2012-04-24T13:58:51Z")
SE FLA here. I got it in the begining of the year and even after I felt better, the cough just lasted for weeks. April 1st I caught it again. But this time it turned into pneumonia and I’ve been out of work all month. In a few minutes, I’m off to see the doctor for the third and hopefully last time as I am mostly recovered. ---
**Author:** ![flano1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f14d63/32.png) [@flano1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flano1)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/11 "2012-04-25T23:40:41Z")
Yeah. No cite, but according to a medical friend of mine it is a mild form of whooping cough. The ever present " They " don’t want to panic us, therefore won’t acknowlrdge as such. Just call it the hundred day cough and soldier on. ---
**Author:** ![andyleonard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e19b73/32.png) [@andyleonard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andyleonard)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/12 "2012-04-26T00:23:33Z")
We just had it diagnosed as a “strep-based pneumonia” described as “very common in schools but hits adults harder.” Nasty stuff. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/13 "2012-04-26T03:18:07Z")
Something like this started for me last Wednesday night. I thought it was just a nasty cold (i.e. upper respiratory), but by the weekend it had settled into my lungs. I stayed home from work on Monday (and I rarely call in sick), and by last night the cough and wheezing had gotten so bad I ended up at our local emergency room. They diagnosed me with “asthmatic bronchitis” and gave me albuterol via nebulizer, prednisone, and a prescription for an antibiotic in case I got worse or developed a fever. The cough is the worst I can remember in some 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/14 "2012-04-26T03:27:12Z")
I know two different people here in Chicago who had very bad cases of bronchitis this year that ended up being bacterial. They both struggled with it for weeks and one of them had it turn into pneumonia. Both are well now. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/15 "2012-04-26T04:35:06Z")
My teen daughter has had a bad cough for two weeks now. We live in Minnesota. I was just noticing tonight that she wasn’t coughing so much tonight, but I don’t know if that means anything. It certainly is lingering. She had a pertussis booster about 4 years ago, so that should still be good, right? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/16 "2012-04-26T05:20:58Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > … At first, it affects your nose, sinuses, and throat and then spreads to the lungs. … Accurately describes our nest in central Pennsylvania all winter. Mom’s got OCPD (emphysema) I’ve got asthma, when it finally got to my lungs it took [Benzonatate](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzonatate), Ceftin (a second generation [cephalosporin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceftin)) and Methylprednisolone (a [corticosteroid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylprednisolone)) just to knock the cough down. I’m still getting the extremely runny nose and sneezing! > [@robby](#): > > … They diagnosed me with “asthmatic bronchitis” … :eek: ☹ > [@](#): > > … The designation such as reactive airway disease, bronchitis, allergic bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis, and so on, may lead to delay in the acceptance of a diagnosis of asthma, and thence to under-treatment and mismanagement of the disease, finally resulting in an increase in subsequent morbidity and mortality. …[RIGHT][CITE](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactive_airway_disease)[/RIGHT] That’s what my bad NJ Doc told me it was when I was in my 20’s . . . never really explained that the damage my untreated bronchitis did to my lungs meant I now had asthma (and it would be 25 odd more years before my new shiny PA amazing MD would order a pulmonary function test, which revealed my 20+ years of untreated sleep apnea :smack:) CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Lips\_Obsession](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@Lips\_Obsession](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lips_Obsession)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/17 "2012-04-26T18:08:16Z")
We’re here in NE Ohio and my wife came down with this about a month ago. For whatever reason she isn’t able to take drugs like Mucinex so she just hoped it would go away. It didn’t so finally she went to the MD and they diagnosed her with Bronchitis. Gave her a Z-Pack and some cough syrup with Codine in it. About a week later she’d given it to me. I started the Mucinex right away, which kept the phlegm loose, but it still got worse. Went to the doctor and he gave me a Z-Pack and steroids. I am noticeably improved, but still cough a bit. Doctor said the cough could linger several weeks after the meds are done. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/18 "2012-04-26T18:48:11Z")
Its here in the Cincinnati tristate area too. My ex wife had it for about 3 or 4 weeks and my eldest son had it for a couple weeks. Ive noticed it in a couple of my employees as well. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/19 "2012-04-26T18:50:26Z")
Columbus, Ohio. I started coughing sometime around Thanksgiving. It took four months and two rounds of steroids to knock the cough out, and frankly I still don’t feel like my lungs are entirely back to normal. They diagnosed me with bronchitis, for what that’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794/20 "2012-04-26T19:04:55Z")
So it looks like Ohio is the epicenter. Nuke Ohio! But start with Cleveland first…give me time to flee back over the Indiana border… 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cough-that-everyone-got-this-past-winter-spring/619794.md?page=2)