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High altitude pharyngitis and bronchitis
From WikEM
Contents
Background
Evaluation
- Dry, hacking cough is common at >8000ft
- Purulent bronchitis/painful pharyngitis common with prolonged periods at extreme altitude
- Severe coughing spasms can result in cough fracture of ribs
Differential Diagnosis
High Altitude Illnesses
- Acute mountain sickness
- Chronic mountain sickness
- High altitude cerebral edema
- High altitude pulmonary edema
- High altitude peripheral edema
- High altitude retinopathy
- High altitude pharyngitis and bronchitis
- Ultraviolet keratitis
Management
- Albuterol
- Breathing steam, sucking on hard candies, forcing hydration
- Antibiotics are NOT helpful
