Table 1: Acute Cough

Table 1:
Acute Cough
Etiology	Recommended Treatment	Comments
Viral rhinosinusitis	Antitussives, decongestants, first-generation antihistamines, ibuprofen	Difficult to distinguish from acute sinusitis. Neuraminidase antagonists may be helpful if started earlier.
Acute bronchitis	Antitussives	Antibiotics not routinely indicated
Acute sinusitis	Antibiotics, decongestants, first-generation antihistamines	Treatment duration 2-3 weeks
Allergic/ irritant rhinitis	Irritant avoidance; nonsedating antihistamines	Nasal corticosteroids useful for maintenance therapy
Acute exacerbation of COPD	Beta-agonist/anticholinergic MDIs with spacer, antibiotics, system corticosteroids
Pertussis	Macrolides (if started within 8 days of symptom onset); TMP-SMX (if macrolide allergy)	Diagnosis is difficult (serologic or nasopharyngeal culture)
Mycoplasma	Macrolides; alternatively, tetracyclines
COPD=chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; MDIs=metered dose inhalers; TMP-SMX=trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole