Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)-associated acute cough is the most common symptom both in children and adults worldwide and causes economic and social problems with significant implications for the patient, the patient's family, and the health care system. New pathogenic mechanisms in acute cough, including the urge to cough (UTC) mechanisms, have been recently identified. The brainstem neural network, pharyngeal sensory innervation, airway mechanical stimulation, inflammatory mediators, and postnasal drip actively participate in the onset and maintenance of acute cough and the urge to cough phenomenon. However, there is still no effective pharmacological treatment capable of interfering with the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in URTI-associated acute cough. Moreover, severe adverse events frequently occur in administering such cough medications, mainly in children. New evidence has been provided concerning polysaccharides, resins, and honey as potential cough relievers with high antitussive efficiency, effect on the UTC, and minimal side effects.

中文翻译：

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上呼吸道感染相关的急性咳嗽和咳嗽冲动：临床实践的新见解


上呼吸道感染 (URTI) 相关的急性咳嗽是全世界儿童和成人最常见的症状，会导致经济和社会问题，对患者、患者家庭和医疗保健系统产生重大影响。最近发现了急性咳嗽的新致病机制，包括咳嗽冲动（UTC）机制。脑干神经网络、咽感觉神经支配、气道机械刺激、炎症介质和鼻后滴注积极参与急性咳嗽和急咳现象的发生和维持。然而，仍然没有有效的药物治疗能够干扰 URTI 相关急性咳嗽的病理生理机制。此外，在施用此类止咳药物时经常发生严重的不良事件，尤其是在儿童中。新的证据表明多糖、树脂和蜂蜜可以作为潜在的止咳药，具有较高的镇咳效率、对 UTC 的影响以及最小的副作用。