What Are Symptoms of COP?
COP often begins with what seems like a flu-like illness. Most people experience shortness of breath with exertion, dry cough and weight loss. In rare cases, people may have chest pain, joint pain, night sweats or cough up blood. The most common symptoms of COP include:
- Persistent (lasting 2-4 months), nonproductive cough (meaning you’re not coughing up mucus)
- Fever
- Chills and shaking
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
How COP Is Diagnosed?
COP is diagnosed by ruling out other diseases and causes of OP. Your provider will ask you questions about your health to get a detailed patient history. This is important because the signs and symptoms of COP can be similar to side effects from common medication and other illness. Your provider will most likely order tests such as chest X-rays, computerized tomography scan (CT), lung function tests, bronchoscopy and possibly a lung biopsy before a diagnosis is given.
How COP Is Treated?
Mild cases of COP often go away on their own. However, in most cases, some form of treatment is necessary. COP does not respond to antibiotics. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are the most common medication and can be prescribed for a few weeks to a few months. It is extremely important to take the entire course of medication as it is prescribed. If left untreated, COP may lead to severe lung damage and hospitalization.
If improvement is not seen within a few weeks, cytotoxic medications such as cyclophosphamide may be used. Recurrences can occur so once treatment has ended it is a good idea to talk to your provider and monitor your progress, getting follow-up testing if necessary.
If improvement is not seen within a few weeks, cytotoxic medications such as cyclophosphamide may be used. Reoccurrences are common so once treatment has ended it is a good idea to talk to your doctor and monitor your progress, getting follow-up testing if necessary. It is important to note that COP is not responsive to antibiotics.
Reviewed and approved by the American Lung Association Scientific and Medical Editorial Review Panel.
Page last updated: October 22, 2025
