Chronic cough

Chronic refractory cough is defined as a persistent cough of more than 8 week duration despite assessment and treatment in specialist clinics - diagnosis would be established by secondary care. This is a diagnosis of exclusion Also known as - Chronic idiopathic cough , Unexplained chronic cough There is no identifiable cause.

Acute cough-less than 3 weeks duration. common causes include Lung cancer Upper respiratory tract infection --> most common cause Acute bronchitis and Pneumonia Asthma COPD acute exacerbation Pertusis ( whooping cough ) Acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis.

Also consider Suspected PE or pneumothorax Serious illness suspected○ RR > 30 /min○ tachycardia > 130○ systolic BP < 90 or diastolic < 60 (unless this is normal for them )○ saturation < 92 % or central cyanosis○ peak expiratory flow < 33 % predicted○ altered level of consciousness○ resp distress --> use of accessory muscles Foreign body aspiration

Subacute cough is 3-8 weeks duration. Most commonly caused by airway hyper-responsiveness following specific infections ( including M.pneumoniae ) Ongoing infections. Also consider Lung cancer Pulmonary tuberculosis Post- infectious cough○ adv that cough may persist for several months○ re-attend for assessment if cough does not improve after 2 months Bronchiectasis and Pneumonia Asthma...