Cough Flashcards
What is the commonest cause of persistent or chronic cough?
post nasal drip
what are the commonest causes of haemoptysis?
URTI (24%), acute or chronic bronchitis (17%), bronchiectasis (13%), TB (10%)
What are the “red flags” for cough?
- age > 50
- smoking history
- asbestos exposure
- persistent cough
- overseas travel
- TB exposure
- haemoptysis
- unexplained weight loss
- dyspnoea
What investigations could you order in a patient who has haemoptysis + a cough?
- Hb, blood film + WCC
- sputum cytology + culture
- ESR
- respiratory function tests
- radiology (xray, CTPA, VQ scan)
- skin prick test
A patient presents with a productive cough, wheeze and shortness of breath. They have no fevers and no history of asthma. They are a non smoker. What is the most likely cause and what treatment to they require?
Acute bronchitis
Symptomatic treatment only- inhaled bronchodilators
what characterizes chronic bronchitis?
- chronic productive cough for at least 3 months in 2 successive years
- wheeze, progressive dyspnoea
- occurs mainly in smokers
What are 2 common organisms in community acquired pneumonia?
- streptococcus pneumonia
- haemophilus influenzae
What are 3 organisms in atypical pneumonia and what is the usual clinical presentation?
- fever, malaise, headache, non productive cough, nil signs of consolidation. Diffuse infiltration on CXR
- mycoplasma pneumoniae, legionella pneumopjilia, chlamydia pneumoniae
What are some red flags for severe pneumonia?
- altered mental state
- rapidly deteriorating
- respiratory rate >30/ minute
- pulse rate > 125/ minute
- BP < 4 or >20
what are the indications for 24 hour ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring in chronic cough?
- unexplained chronic cough after initial assessment
- symptomatic GORD
- chronic cough with known aetiology not responsive to treatment
