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postinfectious cough
Etiology:
- subacute cough following an acute respiratory tract infection, especially viral or Mycoplasma
Pathology:
- usually caused by postnasal drip or airway hyperreactivity
Clinical manifestations:
- subacute cough (3-8 weeks duration)
- generally mild, dry cough
- generally improves since the time of initial infection
Differential diagnosis:
- cough-variant asthma
- GERD
- Pertussis
- paroxysmal cough, post-tussive vomiting, inspiratory whoop Mangagement:
- no evidence supports pharmaceutical management [2]
- includes inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, & oral agents (antibiotics)
- further work-up if cough has not resolved within 8 weeks or if new symptoms appear [2]
General
cough
References
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 19
Board Basics. An Enhancement to MKSAP19.
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2022
- Johnson K
Postinfectious Cough: Are Treatments Ever Warranted?
Medscape. Feb 15, 2024
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/postinfectious-cough-are-treatments-ever-warranted-2024a100037x
- Liang K, Hui Pm Green S
Postinfectious cough in adults.
CMAJ 2024 196(5):E157 February 12
PMID: 38346782 PMCID: PMC10861265 Free PMC article
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/196/5/E157