HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Persistent Dry Cough

default
Posted on Tue, 30 Jun 2015
Question: I have had a persistent cough for the past week and a half. I have a cold which i have had for two weeks but it seems to be getting better slowly but surely. My cough is more of a dry cough which comes on very quickly and i have no way of controlling it at that point. I haven't had a good nights sleep since I started coughing. Is there anything you can suggest I do - I have done the usual cough lozenges, honey and lemon, even vinegar which strangely enough helps sometimes. Is it just something I have to put up with? Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you can try ipratropium and perhaps a macrolide antibiotic

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

this is probably a case of post-infectious cough. This is hard to manage sometimes. If the 'cold' is getting better and you have no sinusitis then there are two things that may be considered:
- pertussis: particularly if you haven't had pertussis vaccination in the past then this is potential cause to consider. Macrolide antibiotics help. Amoxicillin won't.
- bronchial hyper-responsiveness: ipratropium may help.

A chest X-ray will prove that no visible cause for your cough can be identified. I would recommend doing the X-ray only if your cough is getting worse or there is no sign of improvement.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
Contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3817 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Dry Cough

Brief Answer: you can try ipratropium and perhaps a macrolide antibiotic Detailed Answer: Hello, this is probably a case of post-infectious cough. This is hard to manage sometimes. If the 'cold' is getting better and you have no sinusitis then there are two things that may be considered: - pertussis: particularly if you haven't had pertussis vaccination in the past then this is potential cause to consider. Macrolide antibiotics help. Amoxicillin won't. - bronchial hyper-responsiveness: ipratropium may help. A chest X-ray will prove that no visible cause for your cough can be identified. I would recommend doing the X-ray only if your cough is getting worse or there is no sign of improvement. I hope you find my comments helpful! Contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!