Cough in Ambulatory Immunocompromised Adults

Publication Date: November 1, 2017
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Suggestions

1. For ambulatory immunocompromised adults with cough and ormal chest radiographs, we suggest that the initial approach to the diagnosis of the cause of cough be the same as in immunocompetent persons. (U-CBS)
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2. For ambulatory immunocompromised adults with cough and normal chest radiographs, we suggest that evaluations for specific diseases associated with underlying immune disorders should be conducted if the common causes of cough in the general population are excluded. (U-CBS)
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3. For ambulatory immunocompromised adults with cough and HIV infection who reside in areas with a high prevalence of TB, we suggest that TB should be part of the initial evaluation regardless of the radiographic findings. (U-CBS)
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Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Cough in Ambulatory Immunocompromised Adults

Authoring Organization

Publication Month/Year

November 1, 2017

Last Updated Month/Year

August 3, 2023

Supplemental Implementation Tools

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

Cough is a common symptom prompting patients to seek medical care. Like patients in the general population, patients with compromised immune systems also seek care for cough. However, it is unclear whether the causes of cough in immunocompromised patients who are deemed unlikely to have a life-threating condition and a normal or unchanged chest radiograph are similar to those in persons with cough and normal immune systems.

Target Patient Population

Immunocompromised patients with cough

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Hospital, Outpatient

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Assessment and screening, Diagnosis, Management, Treatment

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D003371 - Cough, D016867 - Immunocompromised Host, D014397 - Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Keywords

immunocompromise, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, cough

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement