Cough Management Guidelines

Classification and Diagnosis

The American Thoracic Society recommends classifying cough by duration, with acute cough lasting < 3 weeks, subacute cough lasting between 3-8 weeks, and chronic cough lasting > 8 weeks 3
The American College of Chest Physicians suggests that chronic cough can be caused by multiple factors, including asthma, Upper Airway Cough Syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 7

The American Academy of Family Physicians strongly recommends first-generation antihistamine/decongestant combinations for acute cough, as they decrease cough severity and hasten resolution 4
The American College of Chest Physicians suggests that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen can favorably affect cough symptoms 3
The British Thoracic Society recommends dextromethorphan-containing remedies as the most effective over-the-counter options for acute cough 1

The American College of Chest Physicians recommends a sequential treatment algorithm for chronic cough, starting with treatment for asthma, then Upper Airway Cough Syndrome, and finally GERD 7
The American Thoracic Society suggests that smoking cessation can resolve cough symptoms within 4 weeks 7

The American College of Chest Physicians recommends ipratropium bromide as a first-line treatment for cough suppression in certain patients 6
The European Respiratory Society suggests that mucolytics may improve mucus clearance in patients with bronchitis 6

The British Thoracic Society recommends that patients with cough and hemoptysis, breathlessness, or prolonged fever and feeling unwell should seek medical attention 1
The American College of Chest Physicians suggests that patients with underlying conditions, such as COPD, heart disease, diabetes, or asthma, should seek medical attention if they experience a cough 1

The British Thoracic Society recommends that a specialist cough clinic should have a named consultant responsible for the service, staff with appropriate training, and protocols to supervise treatment trials and assess cough severity 1