Coughing and Diarrhea: Decoding These Annoying Cold and Flu Symptoms
Cough and diarrhea - neither are pleasant symptoms. But when they strike at the same time, it can leave you feeling especially miserable. So what's behind this dynamic sick duo?
While neither cough nor diarrhea in isolation is cause for immediate concern, together they may signal you're dealing with a viral infection like a cold, flu, stomach bug or something more serious. Understanding the potential causes can help you find relief.
Why Cough and Diarrhea Often Go Together
Coughing and loose stools might seem like unrelated symptoms affecting different body systems. But there are a few common reasons they overlap:
- Viral infections - Viruses like norovirus, rotavirus, and influenza can cause both respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Post-nasal drip - Mucus dripping from the sinuses down the throat can trigger coughing and nausea leading to vomiting or diarrhea.
- Medication side effects - Drugs like ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure may cause a dry cough and diarrhea.
When a cough and diarrhea hit at the same time, it often points to an underlying infection. However, there are some key differences between viral culprits.
Cough and Diarrhea: Cold vs. Flu
Cold and flu viruses often cause overlapping symptoms like coughing and diarrhea. But the timing and severity can indicate which bug you're up against:
Colds
- Cough arises gradually and is often mild at first
- Cough worsens over 3-4 days and peaks around days 5-7
- Diarrhea is less common with colds
Flu
- Cough and diarrhea may arise abruptly, within hours of first symptoms
- Cough quickly worsens and is usually more severe
- Diarrhea is more common with the flu, especially in kids
So with the flu, cough and diarrhea tend to co-occur rapidly with more severity compared to slower-building, milder cold symptoms. However, mild flu and severe colds can blur these lines.
Other Viral Culprits Behind Cough and Diarrhea
While colds and flu are prime suspects, other viral infections can also cause cough alongside diarrhea, vomiting, or both including:
Norovirus
This notorious stomach bug causes intense vomiting and diarrhea along with coughing in over 50% of cases. Symptoms arise quickly and last 1-3 miserable days.
Rotavirus
A common cause of stomach flu in infants and kids, rotavirus brings on fever, cough, and watery diarrhea that can lead to dehydration if severe.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
A respiratory virus usually causing cold-like symptoms, RSV also triggers diarrhea and coughing especially troublesome in infants.
Adenovirus
Adenovirus most often causes respiratory illness with cough, but intestinal infection can also occur bringing diarrhea and vomiting.
COVID-19
Diarrhea, vomiting, and cough are all common COVID symptoms, especially with Omicron variants. Cough is usually dry compared to productive/congested with colds and flu.
Non-Viral Causes of Cough and Diarrhea
While infections are the prime suspect when these symptoms team up, other possible causes include:
Post-Nasal Drip
Thick mucus dripping from the sinuses down the throat, called post-nasal drip, can irritate the airways triggering cough. It can also irritate the stomach lining leading to nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Inhaled Irritants
Breathing in toxic substances like smoke or air pollution can simultaneously inflame the lungs and the GI tract's lining resulting in cough and diarrhea.
Medication Side Effects
Antibiotics like erythromycin can cause both vomiting, diarrhea and coughing. Some blood pressure and heart medications also list cough and diarrhea as potential reactions.
Anxiety or Stress
Stress and anxiety can manifest physically with stomach upset and dry, tickly coughs. Both cough and diarrhea may worsen in stressful times without infection present.
When to See a Doctor for Cough and Diarrhea
While annoying, mild cough and diarrhea often resolve on their own with rest, fluids and over-the-counter symptom relief. But contact your doctor if you experience:
- High fever over 102°F
- Bloody or black diarrhea
- Persistent vomiting making it difficult to keep fluids down
- Severe or worsening diarrhea over 2 days
- Bad cough with difficulty breathing
- Cough lasting over 3 weeks
- Exposure to someone contagious with a virus like COVID-19 or norovirus
Seek immediate medical attention for cough with vomit that is bloody, brown or looks like coffee grounds which may signal a serious condition like gastric ulcer.
Treating that Annoying Cough and Diarrhea Duo at Home
To help you get through a spell of cough and diarrhea:
Rest Up
Get ample rest to allow your body to direct its energy towards healing.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water, broths, or electrolyte drinks to counter fluid loss from coughing, vomiting, sweat and diarrhea.
Try Over-the-Counter Meds
OTC anti-diarrheals, anti-nausea medication, cough suppressants and expectorants can provide symptom relief as needed.
Use a Humidifier
Running a humidifier can moisten and soothe dry airways aggravated by coughing.
Lozenges and Sprays
Sucking on cough drops/lozenges or using numbing throat sprays can temporarily calm coughs.
Avoid Irritants
Prevent coughing fits by steering clear of smoke, harsh fumes, and heavily scented products.
Stick to BRAT Diet
Bind up loose stools by eating the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast for a few days.
Probiotics
Take probiotic supplements to help restore healthy gut bacteria thrown off by diarrhea.
Know When to Call the Doctor
While frustrating, mild to moderate cough and diarrhea often starts improving within a week. Seek medical advice if high fever, breathing issues, bloody stools, ongoing vomiting or other concerning symptoms accompany your cough and diarrhea duo.
Identifying whether a cold, flu or other virus is the likely cause can help guide appropriate symptom relief and precautions. With rest and gentle care, you'll be cough and diarrhea free before you know it.
FAQs
Is coughing and diarrhea a sign of COVID?
It can be, since cough and diarrhea are both common COVID-19 symptoms. But other viruses like flu can cause the same symptoms.
Why do I have a cough with diarrhea but no other symptoms?
Post-nasal drip from sinus drainage dripping down the throat can cause a cough along with nausea and diarrhea in some cases.
Is bloody diarrhea with cough serious?
Yes, bloody diarrhea and cough can indicate a serious condition like a gastric ulcer. Seek medical attention right away if you cough up blood or pass bloody stools.
Should I take cough medicine if I also have diarrhea?
It's okay to take cough suppressants if needed for symptom relief alongside anti-diarrheals. Avoid multi-symptom cold medicines that could further upset the stomach.
How long does viral cough and diarrhea last?
It usually lasts around 1-2 weeks. See a doctor if the cough or diarrhea persists longer than that without improvement.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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