Cousin near ground zero - still coughing

Hi,

My cousin was in the Wall St. area of NY when the WTC collapsed. She has had a chronic cough ever since and refuses to see a doctor.  Is this something that the family should urge her to do, or do you think it will go away in time?

Thanks.

[National Jewish]

It is most likely that your cousin inhaled a great deal of dust when the WTC collapsed. This dust has probably become an irritant in her lungs. If this has persisted for a month, it is advisable that she see her physician. The reasons for this are:
1. She could be having a reaction to a specific inhaled material that persists and needs medication
2. She could have irritated her lungs just from the material and the coughing, itself, and needs medication to quiet down the inflammation
After a month, if the cough persists, she should seek care.