Causes of acute cough in adults

Acute cough in adults is defined as a cough lasting for up to 3 weeksIrwin, 2018.

Common or important causes of acute cough in adults are listed in Common or important causes of acute cough in adults. The most common causes are acute bronchitis caused by a viral respiratory tract infection (the common cold), exacerbations of chronic respiratory diseases (eg asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), and pneumonia.

Table 1. Common or important causes of acute cough in adults
[NB1] [NB2]
Cause	Comments
viral upper respiratory tract infection	dry cough in the presence of other symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection (eg sore throat, rhinorrhoea) no specific treatment required
acute bronchitis	productive or nonproductive cough in the presence of other symptoms of a lower respiratory tract infection antibiotics are not indicated beta₂ agonists are not recommended in the absence of airflow limitationBecker, 2015
pneumonia	productive or nonproductive cough in patients with consolidation on chest X-ray
acute rhinosinusitis	may be allergic or nonallergic may be associated with acute rhinorrhoea, nasal congestion, ocular watering and itching, and sneezing antibiotics are generally not indicated
pertussis	consider in patients with cough lasting longer than 2 weeks other features may be present (eg paroxysms of coughing, inspiratory whoop, post-tussive vomiting)
asthma	uncontrolled asthma is a common cause of cough, but it is unusual for cough to be the sole symptom; other symptoms usually present (eg chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheeze, exercise limitation)
exacerbations of other chronic respiratory diseases	infective or noninfective exacerbation of underlying respiratory diseases (eg COPD, ILD, bronchiectasis)
Note: COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ILD = interstitial lung disease NB1: Acute cough in adults is defined as a cough lasting for up to 3 weeks. NB2: For detailed advice on diagnosis and assessment of cough, see the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) guidelines available here.