Cough
Introduction Cough is the most common respiratory symptom and is usually self-limiting (will resolve in 3-4 weeks without the need for antibiotics). Coughing is the body's defence mechanism to clear the airways of foreign bodies and particulate matter . Questions to Ask the Patient Some important information to be gathered include Duration of the cough Duration longer than 2-3 weeks with no improvement or is getting worse suggests non-acute cause of cough and requires further investigation, such as tuberculosis , asthma , chronic bronchitis, COPD , lung cancer, heart failure and gastroesophageal reflux . Chest pain, haemoptysis (coughing up blood), shortness of breath and wheezing Suggest possible sinister pathology or severe cases of simple viral infection, and requires further investigation. Age Children or adult? If children, how many years old? Persistent nocturnal cough in children Suggests possible asthma , especially those with family history. Nature of cough Coughs can b...