What should I do for a cough caused by tracheitis?

When tracheitis with cough occurs, anti-inflammatory treatment should be initiated first. A complete blood count (CBC) and mycoplasma antibody testing are required. If the CBC shows elevated white blood cell count, this suggests bacterial infection-induced tracheitis and cough, necessitating antibiotic therapy—such as cefradine, cefixime, or amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium. If allergic reactions to any of the above antibiotics occur, clarithromycin may be substituted.

A positive mycoplasma antibody test indicates mycoplasma infection as the cause of tracheitis and cough, requiring treatment with azithromycin. Another common cause is viral infection, in which case both the white blood cell count and mycoplasma antibody test results remain negative; antiviral therapy—such as ribavirin granules—is then indicated.In addition, antitussive medications should be administered. For severe dry cough, compound licorice mixture may be prescribed; for productive cough with excessive sputum, ambroxol-terbutaline oral solution or Feilike mixture may be used.