7 weeks dry cough

[sueps]

A dry irritating persistant cough started (coincidentally?) after some unrelated cosmetic surgery with general anaesthesia 7 weeks ago. There was no cold or other symptoms. GP says no apparent bacterial infection when listening to chest - so probably viral. I do not take ACE inhibitors or any other medication. I tried otc PPI's for 12 days in case it was GERD induced cough. These did not make any significant difference. OK at night and when eating and drinking. Antihistamines do not help. Just taking lots of otc cough suppressants. How long do these things typically last?

[National Jewish]

This dry cough is probably from laryngeo-tracheal irritation caused by the anesthesia, especially if you were intubated.  If so, the cough should already be subsiding.

If this cough continues for 3 months, you should see a pulmonary specialist.  To be sure that there is no infection you will need a chest x-ray and possibly a bronchoscopy.

[Diane-K]

Have you tried something like Humibid to see if it loosens? They sell it over the counter now in products like Mucinex.  At least a loose cough is better than a dry one.

[Diane-K]

I should have mentioned that Humibid is useless without a lot of water and clear fluids.  Also, if you cannot get humibid or can't get it right away, try doubling your fluid intake.