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Covid-19 Primary Care Resources


How long should we expect patients to have cough for after Covid-19 infection?



UCLH Respiratory team advice

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NO LONGER RELEVANT AND IS NOT BEING UPDATED BUT HAS BEEN LEFT ON THE SITE FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY

This information is sourced from Dr Melissa Heightman, Respiratory Consultant, University College London Hospital (UCLH)

Q. For patients who have had Covid-19 and have been treated in the community, how long would you expect them to have ongoing cough for?

A. Post viral cough is traditionally said to last for 6-8 weeks but you need to consider the usual causes of cough (GORD/ post nasal drip) or asthma exacerbated by the infection (look for PEFR variability on a home diary)

Q. Is there anything we can prescribe/advice we can give to help patients with post viral respiratory symptoms eg. salbutamol?

A. We wouldn’t typically prescribe inhaled therapy for post viral cough unless there are asthma features

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