India, Oct. 26 -- With Delhi recording an AQI of 167 on Sunday morning and Mumbai grappling with air pollution, persistent coughs, blocked noses and throat irritation are drawing attention. Actor Richa Chadha flagged Mumbai's deteriorating air quality on Saturday, while author Amish Tripathi took to X to ask, "What is this strange cough going around?" Responding to Tripathi, Dr Shriram Nene suggested he may be dealing with "inflamed airways after a viral or bacterial upper respiratory infection". "It can take up to six weeks for the airways to normalise. Air pollution can exacerbate it..." Dr Nene, who is married to actor Madhuri Dixit, added. ENT specialists say pollution, seasonal changes and allergies can trigger congestion, sinus irritation and lingering coughs. Postnasal drip, or mucus trickling down the throat, can also cause coughing. While viral infections typically improve within seven to 10 days, the cough may persist for weeks, worsened by pollution or allergens. Inputs by Dr Vijaya Bhaskar S M, Aster RV Hospital; Dr Swapnil Brajpuria, Asian Hospital; and Dr Keshav Chauhan, Jiva Ayurveda...