2024-02-17 08:04:25
A lingering cough this winter has struck people after infections: is it worth treating and how?
Scientists have studied the painful consequences of those who have had the flu or a common cold.
Protracted post-infectious cough has become a problem in many countries this winter. Patients with a cough that lasts 3 to 8 weeks after infection have many questions for their healthcare team.
“However, there is no evidence to support pharmacological treatment of post-infectious cough,” the scientists said in a review published Feb. 12 in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
– This is what many patients worry about: a lingering cough after a common cold or flu. Research shows that one in four adult patients complains of this, the study authors write.
It was based on the absence of alarming findings such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastroesophageal reflux disease, or use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
“All the evidence suggests that over-the-counter cough syrup simply doesn’t help.” Or doctors prescribe inhalers or other medications that can be very expensive, but there is no real improvement. Time and patience are two keys to solving this problem, the scientists write.
They estimate that most people who get a viral or bacterial upper or lower respiratory tract infection will get better over time, and there is very little evidence that giving steroids, antibiotics or cough suppressants is better than waiting it out.
However, there is a significant nuance in how to handle this situation. In some patients with underlying pulmonary disease, such as asthma or COPD, increasing the frequency of regular use of inhaled steroids, bronchodilators, oral steroids, and antibiotics may be clinically warranted, and many physicians will do so.
But in some patients it is cough hypersensitivity syndrome, which requires treatments that target the neural pathways that control coughing.
“At the same time, the possibility of developing whooping cough should be considered in patients with paroxysmal cough, post-tussive vomiting and inspiratory whistling,” the scientists warned. – A cough that persists for more than 8 weeks requires further evaluation, such as a pulmonary function test, to rule out asthma or COPD. Cough accompanied by hemoptysis, systemic symptoms, dysphagia, excessive dyspnea, or hoarseness also requires further evaluation.
Unsplash photo
1708195700
#worth #treating