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Subacute cough

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The first step in management is to identify whether the cough preceded an obvious respiratory infection (1).

Post infectious cough may result from

  • postnasal drip
  • upper airway irritation
  • mucus accumulation
  • a manifestation of bronchial hyperresponsiveness that may be associated with asthma
  • pneumonia
  • an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (1).

Infections such as pertussis (whooping cough) should also be considered.

Suspect pertusis in a patient:

  • with an acute cough lasting for 14 days or more with at least one of the following symptoms, post-tussive vomiting, apnoea or whoop
  • who has cough for any duration and who has been in contact with a confirmed case of pertusis in the preceding 3 weeks (2)

If the subacute cough is not preceded by an obvious respiratory infection it should be regarded as a chronic cough and should be evaluated and managed accordingly (1).

Reference:


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