Editing Cough (section)

===Infections===
A cough can be the result of a [[respiratory tract infections|respiratory tract infection]] such as the [[common cold]], [[COVID-19]], [[acute bronchitis]], [[pneumonia]], [[pertussis]], or [[tuberculosis]]. In the vast majority of cases, acute coughs, i.e. coughs shorter than 3 weeks, are due to the common cold.<ref name="pmid20015366">{{cite journal |vauthors=Dicpinigaitis PV, Colice GL, Goolsby MJ, Rogg GI, Spector SL, Winther B |title=Acute cough: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge |journal=Cough |volume=5 |pages=11 |year=2009 |pmid=20015366 |pmc=2802352 |doi=10.1186/1745-9974-5-11 |quote= In the vast majority of cases, acute cough is due to acute viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), i.e., the common cold. |doi-access=free }}</ref> In people with a normal chest X-ray, tuberculosis is a rare finding. Pertussis is increasingly being recognised as a cause of troublesome coughing in adults.

After a respiratory tract infection has cleared, the person may be left with a [[post-viral cough|postinfectious cough]]. This typically is a dry, non-productive cough that produces no [[phlegm]]. Symptoms may include a tightness in the chest, and a tickle in the throat. This cough may often persist for weeks after an illness. The cause of the cough may be inflammation similar to that observed in repetitive stress disorders such as [[carpal tunnel syndrome]]. The repetition of coughing produces inflammation which produces discomfort, which in turn produces more coughing.<ref name="pmid16428703">{{cite journal | vauthors = Braman SS | title = Postinfectious cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines | journal = Chest | volume = 129 | issue = 1 Suppl | pages = 138S–146S | date = January 2006 | pmid = 16428703 | doi = 10.1378/chest.129.1_suppl.138S | doi-access = free }}</ref> Postinfectious cough typically does not respond to conventional cough treatments. Medication used for postinfectious coughs may include [[ipratropium]]<ref name="pmid16428703"/> to treat the inflammation, as well as cough suppressants to reduce frequency of the cough until inflammation clears.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cystic fibrosis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cystic-fibrosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353706 |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=www.mayoclinic.org |language=en}}</ref> Inflammation may increase sensitivity to other existing issues such as [[allergies]], and treatment of other causes of coughs (such as use of an air purifier or allergy medicines) may help speed recovery.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UpToDate |url=https://www.uptodate.com/contents/nonallergic-rhinitis-runny-or-stuffy-nose-beyond-the-basics |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=www.uptodate.com}}</ref>