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General Reference

Nejm 2006;355:2125; Ann IM 2001;134:518, 521

Pathophys and Cause

Cause:Usually viral esp influenza; Bordetella p., mycoplasma, and TWAR (C. pneumonia) are all <10%

Signs and Symptoms

Sx:Productive cough

Si:No T°, tachycardia, tachypnea, or focal lung findings

Lab and Xray

Xray:Chest if cough >3 wk

Treatment

Rx: Symptomatic, abx for bacteriological entities, esp bordatella, mycoplasma. Rarely but emerging fungal etiologies