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What may increase your risk of problems from a cough?

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Many conditions, diseases, medicines, and lifestyle choices interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your health professional.

Conditions

Age younger than 3 months
Age older than 60
Exposure to asbestos
Living with smokers or being regularly exposed to secondhand smoke
Previous surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy)
Recent hospitalization (may increase your risk for pneumonia)

Lifestyle choices

Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
Drug abuse or withdrawal
Occupational exposure to smoke, dust, or fumes
Smoking or other tobacco use

Medicines

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril (Capoten), enalapril maleate (Vasotec), or lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, or Zestoretic)
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
Radiation therapy

Diseases

Chronic upper respiratory illnesses such as chronic sinusitis, otitis media, or tonsillitis
Chronic lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, emphysema), bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis (TB), or bronchiectasis
Diabetes
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Heart disease, especially heart failure
History of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or spontaneous pneumothorax
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Stroke

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	David Messenger, MD
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Revised	February 25, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: February 25, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.