Cough: COVID 19 versus allergic-cough, asthma-cough, chronic cough

Cough, scratchy throat, headaches and other common COVID symptoms are also seasonal allergy symptoms. Cough is a vital protective reflex that is triggered by both mechanical and chemical stimuli. Last time the FDA approved a treatment for cough was in 1958 with modest impact. The cough is commonly described as being …”like having seasonal allergies” or from exposure to mold and dust as holiday ornaments are brought out this time of year. Covid-19 associated cough can be present during active virus, linger long after the virus is gone, and then become a "Chronic Cough" as part of a “post viral syndrome”.  As I have reported in comparing allergies and COVID 19 symptoms,  Chronic Cough should not become part of anyone’s new normal. Advanced diagnostic approach and comprehensive, evidence based cough treatment can be distinguished by an allergy assessment. It has been reported that over 85% of patients diagnosed and thus treated can demonstrate measurable relief and report a vast improvemeant in the quality of their daily lives.

Decreases in cough reflex sensitivity from sucrose or menthol could help explain why cough syrups without pharmacologically active ingredients are often almost as effective as formulations with an added drug (Complementary and alternative interventions in asthma, allergy, and immunology) as it has been noted that sweet taste may alter cough thresholds (Sweet Taste and Menthol Increase Cough Reflex Thresholds). This provides additional support that sweet taste can suppress cough sensitivity, and supports and extends previous work by showing that menthol alone (as opposed to menthol mixed with eucalyptol) can suppress cough sensitivity. - components found in the Sinusol® formulation.

This also further supports the wife's tale that honey could be effective at reducing the symptoms of acute coughs due to upper respiratory tract infections (infections of the airways), including how often people coughed and how bad their cough was. The guidance applies to adults and children over 5 years of age. It's important to note that honey is not safe for children under the age of 1. (A spoonful of honey helps a coughing child sleep)