What Causes a ‘Cough’ and Why Does It Sometimes Last for Days?

A cough is like a sneeze that won't stop. It starts when something tickles your throat or nose, and you try to push it out, just like when you have a little dust in your eyes. Sometimes, the thing that's making you cough isn’t gone yet, so your body keeps trying to get rid of it until it feels better. That’s why a cough can sometimes last for days, your body is still working hard to clean things up inside you.

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Examples

A child who has been playing outside with dirt in their nose starts coughing for hours, it's like a sneeze that won’t stop.
Someone who drinks a lot of cold soda might have to cough for days because the sugar and ice irritate their throat.
After being in a smoky room, your body keeps working hard to push out all the tiny bits of smoke stuck in your lungs.

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Categories: Health · cough,respiratory system,illness,symptoms