2. Dry Cough: The Relentless Respiratory Rumble
The labyrinth of the human respiratory system, with its intricate pathways and chambers, becomes the playground for the measles virus. One of its most overt signs? A persistent, dry cough. It isn’t the gentle, sporadic cough most are accustomed to. It’s continuous, raspy, and in many cases, almost maddening in its consistency.
This isn’t a cough that’s easy to ignore or dismiss as a mere throat irritation. Instead, it serves as a constant reminder of the virus’s grip on the respiratory tract. With each cough, there’s an expulsion of air, a desperate attempt by the body to rid itself of the viral invaders colonizing the bronchial tubes and lungs.
A fascinating aspect of the measles-induced cough is its evolution. Initially starting as an occasional irritation, it soon ramps up in intensity and frequency. The reason? As the measles virus proliferates, it irritates the lining of the respiratory system, prompting an almost reflexive coughing response from the body. It’s nature’s way of sounding the alarm, of indicating that the lungs are under siege.(2)
