Epistemis

Cough

Specialty: Respiratory.

  • dry cough
  • productive cough
  • expectoration

Why it occurs

  • Respiratory infection
  • Asthma/COPD
  • Reflux
  • ACEI (dry cough)
  • Postnasal drip
  • Heart failure

Initial workup

Acute vs. chronic (>8 weeks); chest x-ray if persistent; review ACE inhibitors and consider asthma/GER.

red flags

Cough + hemoptysis, constitutional syndrome, severe dyspnea or persistent high fever → study.

Standard management

  • Remove ACEI — if it is the cause
  • Inhaled bronchodilator/corticosteroid — asthmatic component
  • Antibiotics — only if confirmed bacterial infection

Educational guidance for study. It is NOT a prescription recommendation. The actual choice depends on the cause, the patient, and current guidelines.

PreviousSupraclavicular and intercostal indrawing of the adult
Area
Respiratory
Listed causes
6
Treatment options
3
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