The paroxysmal phase occurs within two weeks of colonization and is characterized by classic coughing episodes followed by post-tussive vomiting. The catarrhal phase is characterized by rhinorrhea, sneezing, low fever, tearing, and nasal congestion. The overall course of pertussis infection lasts up to six weeks and is characterized by three stages: a catarrhal phase, a paroxysmal phase, and a convalescent phase. It is an infection of the respiratory tract by Bordetella pertussis, where the bacterium induces mucopurulent sanguineous exudate formation within the respiratory tract. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an illness with a classic clinical finding of paroxysmal episodes of intense coughing lasting up to several minutes followed by a loud gasp for air. A cough is induced here, primarily as a response to increased mucus production and post-nasal drip. It is commonly due to a viral illness if present for less than ten days but may be related to bacterial infection if the illness is longer than ten days. Additional common causes of an acute cough include acute rhinosinusitis, pertussis, acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, allergic rhinitis, asthma, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, aspiration syndromes, and pulmonary embolism.Īcute rhinosinusitis is characterized by an inflammation of the lining of the paranasal sinuses and accounts for approximately 16 million office visits per year. Acute bronchitis is typically viral in etiology, but bacterial infection is the source in approximately 10% of cases. The most common causes of acute cough in adults are acute viral upper respiratory infection, also known as the common cold, and acute bronchitis. If a cough is presently greater than eight weeks, it is designated as chronic. If a cough is present for three to eight weeks, it is designated as subacute. If a cough is presently less than three weeks, it is designated as acute. The etiology of a cough is an arbitrary classification based largely on the duration of a cough. Given the vagueness of this symptom’s nature, along with the risk of an insidious underlying etiology, heavy impact on quality of life, and a lack of objective tools, coughing should be evaluated and treated as an important issue until a benign source is isolated.

As such, the evaluation of a cough is initially a subjective and highly variable assessment. Furthermore, there are no objective tools to measure or clinically quantify a cough. Coughing is associated with a wide assortment of clinical associations and etiologies. A cough is an innate primitive reflex and acts as part of the body’s immune system to protect against foreign materials. Up to 40% of these complaints result in referral to a pulmonologist.

Identify interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and outcomes in patients with cough.Ī cough is one of the most common medical complaints accounting for as many as 30 million clinical visits per year.

Describe the evaluation of a patient with a cough.This activity reviews the workup of an unexplained cough and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in evaluating and improving care for patients with cough.

Up to 40% of these complaints result in a referral to a pulmonologist. Cough is one of the most common medical complaints accounting for as many as 30 million clinical visits per year.

Nocturnal cough definition