Common causes of acute cough

Diagnosis	Associated clinical features
Upper respiratory tract infection (URI) or common cold	Rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, sneezing, scratchy or sore throat, malaise, headache
Acute bronchitis	Antecedent (URI), absence of high fever or other systemic signs or symptoms, absence of signs of consolidation on chest exam
Pneumonia	Fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, signs of consolidation on chest exam, mental status change in those >75 years old
Post-nasal drip	Post-nasal drainage, need to clear throat, rhinorrhea
Gastroesophageal reflux disorder	Heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia
Asthma	History of episodic wheezing, shortness of breath, allergen exposure or exercise
ACE inhibitor use	Nonproductive cough, tickling or scratchy sensation in the throat
Heart failure	Shortness of breath, orthopnea, gallop rhythm, elevated jugular venous pulse, peripheral edema
Pulmonary embolism	Tachycardia, shortness of breath, pleuric chest pain, hemoptysis
Lung cancer	Past or present smoking history, change in a chronic "smoker's cough," hemoptysis, signs of focal airway obstruction on chest exam

ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme.

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