People in Multiple States Advised to Monitor Themselves for Coughs
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Officials in Michigan and Maine warned residents to monitor themselves for respiratory symptoms, including coughs, as poor air quality hit both states on Wednesday.
Health advisories and air quality alerts blamed elevated fine particulate and ozone levels caused by wildfire smoke and other pollution sources for putting people in several counties in both states at increased risk of adverse health effects.
Coughing is the lungs' only defense mechanism, said Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, a volunteer medical spokesperson with the American Lung Association (ALA).
"A cough is the body's way of saying, 'hey, you're breathing in something we don't really agree with,'" he told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
Air quality alerts mean increased risks for Americans, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and individuals with preexisting heart or respiratory conditions. Fire-related air pollution can worsen conditions such as asthma and lead to more serious health events during periods of elevated pollutants.
With nearly half Americans already living in areas with failing grades for particle or ozone pollution, according to the ALA's 2025 "State of the Air" report, the current alerts underscore persistent and growing public health challenges from air pollution across the United States.
What to Know
Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issued an Air Quality Advisory for Wednesday, across at least 15 counties, including Emmet, Cheboygan, Leelanau, Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Manistee, and several in the Upper Peninsula. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) rose to levels considered 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' or higher, with some areas reaching the red AQI range, according to the EPA's AirNow platform.
Officials recommended avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, especially for people with heart disease, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. Authorities instructed residents to monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning of the nose, throat, and eyes. Residents were also advised to keep windows closed overnight and use high-efficiency filters (MERV-13 or higher) in home air systems.
A stock image of a woman coughing.
A stock image of a woman coughing.
Liubomyr Vorona/Getty
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Bureau of Air Quality issued an Air Quality Alert from 11 a.m. Wednesday to 11 p.m. Thursday for much of the state—including Hancock, York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo counties. The alert cited ozone levels predicted to reach the 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' range, with particle pollution levels also expected to be moderate statewide due to wildfire smoke.
Officials recommended limiting strenuous outdoor activity, warning that the health impacts could be compounded by ongoing heat and humidity. The DEP specifically urged people who may be especially sensitive—including children, the elderly, and those with asthma or heart disease—to consider reducing the intensity and duration of outdoor activities if symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, or throat irritation develop.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone, the primary pollutants cited in both states, can irritate the respiratory system and worsen chronic conditions. Wildfire smoke contains small particles able to penetrate deep into the lungs, increasing risks for bronchitis, asthma attacks, and potential cardiovascular impacts.
Short-term exposure to unhealthy air can cause noticeable symptoms even in healthy individuals, but the risks are substantially higher for those in at-risk groups. Monitoring for symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, and chest discomfort remains crucial for early intervention and prevention of severe outcomes.
Galiatsatos told Newsweek that coughing is a good thing in that it is the body's way of expelling something potentially dangerous, but there are instances where someone should seek medical attention.
"Your cough itself doesn't need emergent medical attention," he said. "However, if you're also experiencing breathlessness, talk to your doctor or seek more urgent care."
Other reasons to see a doctor include a cough lasting more than seven days.
What People Are Saying
Galiatsatos told Newsweek: "If the Air Quality Index is high, over 100 for the general population, people should really take that into account in regards to their safety. People with preexisting conditions such as asthma or COPD, anything greater than 50 should really be taken into consideration."
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Gaylord, Michigan, said in an air quality alert: "Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices."
What Happens Next
Air quality advisories in Michigan and Maine are scheduled to remain in effect through the end of Wednesday and Thursday depending on local conditions. Officials in both states have advised residents to monitor air quality forecasts and follow health recommendations as pollution levels may fluctuate due to weather and wildfire trends.
Galiatsatos urged people to regularly pay attention to their local air quality. If air quality is poor, people might choose to stay indoors, limit their time outside, or keep preventive medications on hand, such as an inhaler.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Opinion - The US Postal Service has an animal welfare problem
Many Americans have a frustrating relationship with the United States Postal Service. Lines are often long, mail gets lost and packages can be delayed. But the government institution's biggest blemish has nothing to do with late birthday cards. The current Postal Service standards for shipping live animals are dangerously inadequate and in desperate need of reform. In May, thousands of chicks were found abandoned in a Postal Service truck in Delaware. With the baby birds trapped without food or water in high temperatures for three days, thousands sadly perished, with less than half of the total 12,000 birds surviving. The U.S. Postal Service said it is investigating the 'process breakdown,' but the incident requires more than bureaucratic proceedings. This particular event is part of a larger pattern of animal mistreatment at the government agency. Earlier this year, Postal Service delays in Indiana left dozens of chicks dead. Thousands more were killed in New England following mail delivery disruptions in 2020. The country's flagship mail carrier transports millions of animals every year, but puzzlingly does not employ a single veterinarian to oversee its animal shipment operations and practices. With weak expert supervision, the shipments happen under conditions that most Americans would find unacceptable for domestic pets like dogs or cats. Animals ranging from birds to reptiles and bees to fish are shipped cross-country with limited standards that only mandate basic ventilation and box labeling. The conditions at airports are particularly heartbreaking. Animals transported through the Postal Service via plane can be left on the tarmac for extended periods before being loaded into the cargo hold. That leaves the living, breathing creatures exposed to extreme heat, bitter cold or other harsh weather conditions. When traveling on vacation through the Phoenix airport in July, would you leave your family dog baking in a crate on the hot runway? Absolutely not. Stronger federal rules are needed to ensure that animals shipped through the Postal Service are treated humanely. The status quo around animal welfare is abhorrent, but the government does not need to reinvent the wheel to rectify the situation. Other companies that transport live animals already have robust rules in place that can, and should, be duplicated at the U.S. Postal Service. For example, when being transported through the sky, animals should be last on and first off the plane. When not actively being loaded, species should be held in climate-controlled hangers, rather than left out in the elements. Flying routes should also be adjusted to cut down on transport time and to reflect weather forecasts that could become hazardous for the animals. When on the road, Postal Service regulations should limit the maximum transit time, create temperature standards and mandate special training for employees to learn best practices around facilitating the transport of live animals. After all, moving a container of baby chicks or insects should be approached differently than delivering an Amazon package. Most importantly, the agency should explore mechanisms that ensure workers adhere to these new protocols. That includes monitoring employees for compliance as well as holding those accountable who break the rules. The tragic episode that recently unfolded in Delaware should be a wake-up call for the United States Postal Service. President Trump should sign an executive order directing the postmaster general to swiftly craft and implement changes. It is well past time for the mail carrier to revamp its processes to reflect modern standards of animal welfare. Animal lives hang in the balance. Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., is the president and CEO of the American Humane Society. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Omada Health Shares Soar After IPO as GLP-1 Drugs Fuel Interest
Omada Health shares jumped after the company made its public-market debut, propelled by Americans' renewed focus on how weight affects physical health.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
How medical debt impacts your credit (and what you can do about it)
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. If you're dealing with unpaid medical debt, it could hurt your credit — but there are ways to resolve the today's healthcare landscape, even a brief hospital visit can leave behind a mountain of bills. And with insurance not always covering everything — or in some cases, anything — many Americans are left grappling with medical debts they never expected to face. In 2024, about 20 million Americans, or nearly 1 in 12 adults, owed money for medical debt, according to the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) survey. The impact of this type of debt can be more than financial, though. Medical debt often hits during a time of personal crisis — after an accident, illness or surgery — leaving people emotionally overwhelmed and financially vulnerable. And when those bills go unpaid, the stress can compound as collections calls start and credit scores begin to slip. For many, this debt is not the result of overspending or poor budgeting, but simply the price of getting necessary care. Luckily, recently updated credit reporting rules and a range of relief programs are starting to ease the burden for many patients. But it's still important to understand exactly how medical debt affects your credit and what steps you can take to protect yourself. Find out how to get help with your debt problems today. How medical debt impacts your credit Medical debt used to be one of the quickest ways to damage your credit score. Even small unpaid bills could end up in collections and drag down your credit for years. But relatively recent changes from the three major credit bureaus — Experian, TransUnion and Equifax — have shifted how this type of debt is handled. Here's what changed: Paid medical collections no longer appear on credit reports. If you settle or pay off your medical debt, it should no longer hurt your credit, even after it goes to collections. If you settle or pay off your medical debt, it should no longer hurt your credit, even after it goes to collections. There's now a one-year waiting period. Medical bills sent to collections won't be added to your credit report for 12 months, giving you time to resolve them or work out a payment plan. Smaller debts are excluded. Medical collections under $500 no longer appear on credit reports at all. These reforms mean that unpaid medical bills might not damage your credit as quickly or as severely as they once did. Still, if a large medical balance goes unresolved for too long, it can eventually show up on your report and lower your credit score, especially if you don't take action during that one-year grace period. It's also important to know that while medical debt is handled differently than credit card or loan debt, lenders don't necessarily make that distinction. A collection is a collection, and any mark on your credit report can impact your ability to get approved for a loan, rent an apartment or even land certain jobs. Explore your debt relief options with the help of an expert now. What you can do about your medical debt If you're struggling with medical debt, you have options. Taking action sooner rather than later can help you avoid collections and limit the potential damage to your credit score. Here are some strategies worth considering: Review and negotiate your bills Start by carefully reviewing every bill for errors or duplicate charges. Medical billing mistakes are surprisingly common. If something doesn't look right, call the provider or hospital's billing department and ask for an itemized statement. Once you verify the charges, see if the provider will negotiate. Many are willing to offer discounts for prompt payment, set up interest-free payment plans or even reduce what you owe if you demonstrate financial hardship. Apply for financial assistance Nonprofit hospitals are legally required to offer financial assistance programs to eligible patients. If you're low-income or facing financial hardship, you may qualify for partial or full forgiveness, even if the bill has already gone to collections. Ask your provider's billing office for an application. Consider a debt relief program If your medical debt is substantial or you're juggling multiple types of unsecured debt, a debt relief program, like debt settlement, may be worth exploring. Debt settlement programs work by negotiating with your creditors to settle your debts for less than the full amount owed. There are also debt relief programs that consolidate your debts into a single monthly payment, which can make them easier to manage. Keep in mind, however, that while debt settlement can help resolve medical collections, it may come with risks, such as fees, tax implications and temporary credit score drops, so it's important to work with a reputable provider and understand the trade-offs. Monitor your credit Your credit report should reflect any paid or settled medical debts accurately, but that may not always be the case. So, be sure to check your credit report regularly to ensure no incorrect medical collections are listed. If you spot an error, dispute it with the credit bureau directly. The bottom line Medical debt can feel uniquely unfair, as it often comes out of nowhere and hits when you're least prepared. But while it has the potential to hurt your credit, changes in how this debt is reported now offer more breathing room. You still need to act quickly and proactively, but there's a path forward even when the bills seem insurmountable. From negotiating with providers to seeking financial aid or working with a debt relief program, there are ways to tackle medical debt without wrecking your financial future. So, know your options and use the time you have before those bills end up on your credit report to tackle the issue before it compounds.
