What is a common etiology for subacute cough?

A post-infectious cough is a common etiology for subacute cough, particularly following respiratory infections such as viral upper respiratory tract infections or pneumonia. After the initial infection resolves, it is not unusual for individuals to experience persistent cough due to airway hyperreactivity and inflammation that can linger even when other symptoms have subsided.

During this period, the airways remain sensitive and can trigger a cough reflex when exposed to irritants or changes in the environment. This cough typically lasts for several weeks, aligning with the definition of a subacute cough that persists longer than acute but less than chronic.

Other options, while they can cause cough, are not as definitive in categorizing as subacute. For instance, asthma typically presents with wheezing and is often characterized by recurrent symptoms; chronic bronchitis involves a productive cough that is long-standing, and tuberculosis usually presents with more systemic symptoms and a chronic cough rather than subacute.