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Decoding Dry Cough: From Diagnosis to Effective Management

July 12, 2026 Dr. Ritesh Jain 342 views

Pediatric dry cough is a common clinical condition that requires a systematic diagnostic approach to identify its underlying cause and guide appropriate management. Evaluation should include a detailed clinical history covering cough duration, characteristics, triggers, medical and family history, medication use, and environmental exposures, supported by laboratory investigations, imaging, pulmonary function testing, and microbiological studies when indicated. Management should be individualized according to the underlying etiology and symptom severity.[1] Therapeutic options may include Dextromethorphan and Levodropropizine for cough suppression, expectorants, Acetylcysteine and other mucolytics, antihistamines for allergy-associated cough, bronchodilators for bronchospasm, and pharyngeal demulcents for symptomatic relief, with regular follow-up to monitor treatment response.[2]

Reference(s):

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9860236/

2. https://ijcp.in/Pages/Post_Detail.aspx?wid=20836