High altitude pharyngitis and bronchitis

Clinical Features

• 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

Evaluation

• Clinical diagnosis after exclusion of other etiologies (e.g. infection)

Management

• Albuterol
• Breathing steam, sucking on hard candies, forcing hydration
• Antibiotics are NOT helpful

See Also

• High Altitude Medicine