I am a doctor and Susan is correct. Because the exam is not revealing, the
diagnosis is usually made after eliminating other things like sinusitis and
bronchitis. Some doctors do not treat it since there is little objective
evidence of infection. You may have to press for treatment if you have had
a cough without improvement for more than two weeks.
John
John J. Messmer, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Family & Community Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine
> These nasty coughs may be a symptom of tracheitis, an
> inflammation/irritation of the trachea. I'm NOT A DOCTOR but I've had
this
> condition and it's maddening. The cords are OK, but you just can't stop
> this awful dry coughing. It may be a bacterial infection, so you may need
> an antibiotic; obviously, ask your doctor. Also ask for a good strong
cough
> suppressant like codeine, so the trachea is not further irritated by
> coughing, thereby exacerbating the cough. Attack the infection and then
> break the cycle of tickle/cough/irritate/tickle more/cough more and you'll
> get better. This unproductive cough does you no good and is very
stressful
> on the vocal folds. It can cause vocal hemorrhages, among other things.
>
> Susan Schneider
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