Causes of cough can range from a simple viral upper respiratory tract infection causing an acute cough to lung cancer or chronic lung disease causing a chronic cough. Identifying patients at risk of more serious diagnoses is essential.
- Cough is the most common reason for new presentations of patients to GPs.
- Acute cough is most commonly caused by viral infection.
- Acute cough is usually self-limiting and does not generally require further investigation.
- Unusual but serious causes of acute cough should be considered.
- Pertussis should be considered as a cause of prolonged cough.
- Chronic cough is usually due to asthma, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or postnasal drip, and sometimes these in combination.
- A trial of treatment can help make the diagnosis.