Is Your Cough As Bad As It Sounds?

The common cold-like virus known as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may cause a cough in certain people. Though it usually goes away within a few weeks, it’s something to watch for in kids, older people, and those with breathing issues. Medication, humidifiers, and other treatments are available. Annually, RSV causes 58,000 to 80,000 hospitalizations in children under the age of five and 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations in people 65 and up in the US, according to the CDC. Although RSV is widespread and sometimes mimics the common cold, physicians warn that it may be especially dangerous for small children and the elderly. A cough, the intensity of which might vary, is a common symptom of RSV. It may be possible to let this cough go away on its own if you or a loved one suffer from it, but medical attention may be necessary if it becomes a breathing problem. RELATED: Types of Coughs and What They Mean What Is An RSV Cough Like? Mucus may make an RSV cough sound watery. People who have severe illnesses typically have a cough that sounds like wheezing or difficulty breathing. The ability of medical professionals to diagnose RSV from a patient’s cough...