Steroid Effect for Persistent Cough Developed after 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Infection: 5 Cases / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

After the report of the first case of pandemic influenza A virus H1N1 on April 2009, this infection caused more than 16 thousands deaths world-widely. Postinfectious cough is known to be one of the important causes of chronic cough. We experienced five cases of persistent cough, which developed after influenza A virus H1N1 infection. All of the cases showed bronchial hyperreactivity by methacholine inhalation challenge. We prescribed steroids, which resulted in complete symptomatic recovery within 50 days, but the bronchial hyperreactivity was not normalized. We describe these five cases in regard to clinical characteristics, methacholine challenge test, and anti-inflammatory treatment.