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What is it about ?
Cough problems are generally divided into two categories namely acute cough and chronic cough.
The acute or short-lived cough is present for less than three weeks, but may persist for up to a month.
Chronic cough lasts longer. Other causes can be the cause of a chronic cough, such as chronic bronchitis,asthma, of reflux or a runny nose and a buildup of mucus in the nose and throat.
Other ailments, such asheart failure and the pneumothorax can also trigger coughing. Of course, all of these situations require an approach of their own.
This patient guide deals with complaints of sudden cough in adults and young people over 12 years of age without evidence for an initial stage of chronic cough.
What is its frequency?
Coughing is a frequent reason for seeing a doctor. One in ten patients consult for cough problems; of these, 3 in 4 have a respiratory tract infection.
How to recognize it?
It is a cough (dry or with mucus production) that starts suddenly and lasts less than 3 weeks.
How is the diagnosis made?
The doctor will first and foremost distinguish between the causes of a sudden, potentially life-threatening cough and less serious conditions. To do this, he will ask questions about the complaints and will carry out a clinical examination in order to exclude pathologies which may prove to be fatal. It can be inflammation of the lungs, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema (water in the lungs), a clot in the blood vessels of the lungs, a foreign body in the lungs, etc. If the physical examination does not provide sufficient certainty, technical examinations may be necessary (blood sampling, x-ray of the lungs, x-ray of the heart, etc.).
In the absence of serious causes for a sudden cough, the doctor will conclude that a respiratory tract infection is by far the most common cause. If there are no other specific risks, the doctor should not distinguish between a viral or a bacterial cause, as this has no influence on the treatment.
What can you do ?
Acute coughs usually resolve on their own within 7-10 days. Most often it is not necessary to take medication. Moreover, it is not clear whether cough syrups are effective except to relieve the cough somewhat. But home remedies probably help too, like a mixture of two small scoops of honey and one scoop of lemon juice. Make sure that the ambient air is sufficiently humid. Avoid smoking and a dusty environment.
If you are still expecting phlegm after 2 weeks, have a fever, are short of breath, there is absolutely no improvement, or if the cough continues for more than a month, it is best to go see the general practitioner.
What can your doctor do?
Pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Your doctor will decide whether it is best for you to receive treatment at home or in the hospital.
For all other respiratory tract infections (even in the event of possible bacterial infections), taking antibiotics does not seem to reduce the duration of symptoms or to a very limited extent. Eight out of ten people will feel better after seven to eleven days, with or without antibiotics. The advantages therefore do not outweigh the disadvantages (increased resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, side effects, etc.). Antibiotics have almost no effect, neither on the duration of the fatty cough, nor on the limitations at work or in the framework of other activities.
The doctor will explain this to you and ask you to come back to see him for a check-up in the following cases: deterioration of the general condition, increase in cough problems possibly accompanied by fever, appearance of other complaints such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing up blood, fever that lasts for more than a week, no noticeable improvement in complaints after a week, coughing problems for more than 30 days, or mucus production for more than two weeks.
The effectiveness of many cough medications available at drugstores is not clear. If the cough is really too bothersome, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Want to know more?
- Managing cough problems – Grace Network
- Antibiotics do not act against all diseases – BAPCOC – Belgian Commission for the coordination of antibiotic policy
- Air pollution and health – mongeneraliste.be – SSMG – Scientific Society of General Medicine
- Tobacco: preparing the stop – mongeneraliste.be – SSMG – Scientific Society of General Medicine
- Stop smoking. It’s possible – Tabacstop – Foundation against cancer
Are you looking for more specialized help?
- Smoking Assistance Center (CAF®) – FARES – Respiratory Affections Fund
- Tobacco specialists – FARES – Respiratory Affections Fund
Sources
- Valentin S, Lannoy C, Dromelet E, De Jonghe M, Leconte S. Prolonged cough in the pediatric population in primary care (update). http://www.ebp-guidelines.be/home
- Belgian practice guide ‘Acute cough’ (2002) – SSMG – Scientific Society of General Medicine
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