Prolonged Cough in Adults

Recognize the most important causes of a prolonged cough. Asthma Chronic bronchitis (and incipient COPD) Chronic pulmonary infections, especially tuberculosis Sinusitis (mucus draining down the back of the throat) Sarcoidosis Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis A cough associated with connective tissue disorders and their treatment Asbestosis, (silicosis) Farmer's lung Adverse drug reaction (ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, nitrofurantoin) Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease Lung tumours Pleural effusion Cardiac insufficiency