Acute, disruptive cough. Symptomatic therapy for a nagging problem

Acute, disruptive cough should be viewed as a physiologic response to an intruder or irritant to the respiratory system and not as an isolated pathologic problem. Evaluation should include thorough history taking and physical examination supplemented by limited diagnostic tests. Once the cause is established, specific therapy can be implemented. If cough persists for days to weeks and is disruptive, symptomatic cough therapy should be instituted on the basis of the mechanisms of action of the available agents. Further controlled studies in the primary care setting are needed.