This can cause a wet or productive cough that may persist even after the coronavirus resolves.
When you catch a virus like COVID-19, your lungs and airways may start to produce extra phlegm.
How COVID-19 Impacts Lungs
COVID-19 is the illness sparked by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
It infects the cells that line the airways, specifically the mucous membranes.
These membranes produce mucus that traps irritants in the airways and helps your body expel them through coughing.
ACOVID-19 infectioncan inflame the lung tissues, including the alveoli.
The alveoli are where oxygen and carbon dioxide pass between the blood and the air.
When the COVID-19 virus enters the lungs, inflammation increases phlegm that collects in the airways.
Due to inflammation and fluid build-up, pneumonia usually causes breathing difficulties.
One of the common symptoms of long COVID-19 is a cough.
If you have a cough with congestion that lasts three weeks or longer, see your healthcare provider.
Other symptoms of long COVID include fatigue,shortness of breath, and cognitive problems.
These symptoms can impact your ability to function on a day-to-day basis.
If blood oxygen levels drop below 94%, it is considered severe COVID-19.
COVID-19 symptoms can last a few days or several weeks.
Most mild cases resolve in less than two weeks, while severe cases take six weeks or longer.
Symptoms of Different Variants
COVID-19 symptoms can differ based on the variant or the virus.
For example:
As other variants continue to emerge, so will different symptom patterns.
Breathing exercises can also help.
You may require additional care beyond OTC medications and home remedies.
These medications thin the mucus in your lungs, making it easier to cough up.
This is why they are also available via prescription for medication purposes.
There are alsoantiviralsfor individuals at a higher risk of a serious COVID-19 infection.
Contact your healthcare provider about prescription antiviral medications if you are in a higher-risk group.
These medications wont make you cough less, but they will make coughs more productive and dump the airways.
They work best for nasal congestion.
You shouldn’t take a cough suppressant when you have a wet cough.
The cough is essential to moving mucus out of your lungs, where its interfering with breathing.
Taking a cough suppressant when you have awet coughmay increase your risk of developing pneumonia.
Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercisesuse your breath to strengthen your lungs and help you expel mucus.
Here are a few to try.
Deep Breathing Exercise
This exercise expands your lungs and helps clear mucus from them.
Back-lying and side-lying are two that are often recommended.
Wait at least an hour after meals before doing postural or positioning exercises.
Stop if youre feeling sick or if the position is aggravating yourheartburn.
Back Lying Exercise
Side Lying Exercise
Emergency Symptoms
COVID-19 can sometimes require emergency medical treatment.
Phlegm is mucus produced within the respiratory tract.
Breathing exercises may also be beneficial.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed.
As new research becomes available, well update this article.
For the latest on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
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