It is the time of year where coughs and colds are rife. Now, a recent study published in the BMJ raises the question of why we wheeze when under the weather.
Although scientists from The Hull York Medical School, who carried out the research, are unsure of the exact cause, one theory is viruses have evolved to irritate infected people’s airways, causing them to cough and infect others.
People typically suffer two or three colds a year, with coughing being a common symptom.
Although irritating, most cases are not serious and resolve in a few weeks without treatment.
Here we look at the three different theories behind why we cough.
