Pulmonologist shares easy tips to identify pollution cough versus viral cough
How to tell if your cough is due to pollution or a viral infection
Not all coughs mean you are sick, and not all coughs need medicine. A cough is the body’s way of protecting the airways by clearing out irritants, mucus, or germs. The challenge is to figure out why you are coughing so that the right steps can be taken—whether it is rest, medication, or reducing exposure.
According to Dr. Nana Kunjir, a consultant pulmonologist at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital in Pune, most coughs today fall into two main types: those caused by environmental irritants like pollution, and those caused by viral infections, such as the common cold. Knowing the difference is important because the care needed depends on the cause.
Pollution cough: People usually notice this type of cough worsening when they are outdoors, especially near traffic, construction sites, or smoky areas. The cough can also be stronger on days with poor air quality. When spending a few hours indoors with cleaner air, the cough often improves.
Pollution-related cough is typically dry, tickly, and irritating. People may feel like they need to clear their throat often. Burning or watery eyes, scratchy throat, or chest tightness may also occur because pollution affects the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
Those with asthma, allergic rhinitis, or COPD are especially vulnerable. Certain pollutants, like ground-level ozone, can inflame the airways and trigger cough, wheezing, or mild breathlessness. This type of cough often starts mild in the morning, worsens throughout the day, and can last for weeks or months if exposure continues.
Viral cough: This type of cough usually comes with other symptoms, often called an “infection bundle.” These include sore throat, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, fatigue, headache, fever, or body aches. Symptoms tend to develop over a few days, peak, and gradually improve over a week or so. The cough often starts dry and later becomes phlegmy.
Dr. Kunjir explains that mucus color alone does not determine the type of cough. What matters is whether symptoms are improving day by day or getting worse. Viral coughs tend to persist for a short time and usually resolve as the infection clears.
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What to watch for and simple ways to manage
In real life, coughs may overlap. For example, a viral infection can inflame the airways, and polluted air can keep them irritated. This combination can make a cough last longer than expected, especially in cities. A common situation is when fever and nasal symptoms disappear, but the cough continues for weeks. This is called a post-viral cough, where the airway remains sensitive to triggers like talking, laughing, cold air, dust, or strong smells.
Pollution cough behaves differently from viral cough. Dr. Swapnil Khadke, HOD and consultant at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, says it often starts mild, worsens during the day, and can persist for a long time if exposure continues. Improvement is usually seen when a person moves indoors, wears a mask, or avoids polluted areas.
Simple measures can help distinguish the two types. Pollution cough often improves with cleaner air, masks, and avoiding irritants. Viral cough usually worsens at night or early morning but slowly gets better as the illness runs its course.
Treatment also differs. For viral cough, resting, staying hydrated, and managing symptoms is enough. Antibiotics are usually not needed. For pollution-related cough, avoiding the irritant and soothing the airways are the most effective approaches.
Doctors advise seeking medical help if any serious symptoms appear, such as difficulty breathing at rest, rapid worsening wheeze, chest pain, coughing blood, persistent high fever, severe weakness, confusion, or low oxygen levels. People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, pregnant women, very young children, and older adults should be cautious and seek help sooner.
Understanding whether a cough is caused by pollution or infection helps respond correctly. Pollution cough indicates environmental irritation, while viral cough indicates an infection that needs time to heal. Recognizing the difference can prevent unnecessary medication and ensure timely care when needed.
In summary, paying attention to patterns and associated symptoms can help identify the cause. Pollution cough tends to worsen outdoors and with irritants, while viral cough comes with additional signs of infection. Simple steps like reducing exposure, wearing masks, and resting can relieve coughs, but serious or persistent symptoms always require medical attention.
By noticing these clues, individuals can take the right measures, protect their lungs, and avoid complications, whether the cough is caused by pollution or a viral infection.
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