Cough

Question 1

Referral

Answer 1

• 3+ weeks no improvement
• Chest pain, wheezing, dyspnoea
• Significant fever or malaise
• Whooping cough
• Night cough (asthma)
• Croup (barking cough, breathless, inspiratory stridor)
• Pink + frothy (HF)
• Dark red (TB)

Question 2

Treatment: dry cough

Answer 2

Antitussive 6+
- Dextromethorphan
- Codeine linctus

Demulcents
- Simple linctus
- Glycerol 3M+

Question 3

Treatment: chesty cough

Answer 3

Expectorants 6+
- Guaifenesin
- Ammonium chloride

Question 4

Advise

Answer 4

• Under 12: warm fluids, lemon + honey, glycerol or simple linctus
• Dry, tickly cough are self limiting