Coughing after a respiratory infection is common and, in most cases, will resolve with time, according to an article in CMAJ ( Canadian Medical Association Journal ) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.231523 .
With the recent bout of respiratory infections across Canada, many people are suffering from a postinfectious cough, or a cough that lasts for weeks after the initial infection has resolved.
"Reassuring patients that postinfectious cough is time limited and self resolving is important and can reduce unnecessary and costly prescriptions, such as asthma puffers or antibiotics," said Dr. Kevin Liang, a family physician and clinical instructor in the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. "Most postinfectious cough symptoms will improve without medication."
Key points about postinfectious cough:
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Literature review
People
Postinfectious cough in adults
12-Feb-2024