Cough

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Cough is a common reflex action that clears the throat of mucus, allergens, dusts or other foreign  irritants. A cough can be caused by several conditions both temporary and permanent. Frequently  coughing indicates the presence of disease. 

Characteristics of cough/sputum 

• If cough is dry without sputum and fever, it is probable an allergic condition or mild upper respiratory illness (e.g. allergic rhinitis or allergic bronchitis)  
• If  cough  is  dry  without  sputum  or  fever  and  is  associated  with  other  congestive symptoms it may be due to Congestive Cardiac Failure (CCF) 
• If  it  is  a  repeated  attack  cough  with  wheezing  but  without  fever,  it  is  likely  to  be bronchial asthma 
• If it is a cough with fever, rapid breathing and chest in-drawing, it is likely pneumonia 
• If  it  is  cough  with  sputum  which  is  yellowish  pus-like  and  there  is  fever,  it  is  likely acute bronchitis or pneumonia 
• If  it  is  cough  with  blood  in  sputum  and/or  irregular  fever  with  loss  of  weight  and appetite, it is a suspected tuberculosis 
• If it is cough with large quantity of sputum, very foul smelling it is likely lung abscess or bronchiectasis 

Pharmacological Treatment 

Causative/precipitating  factors  e.g.  CCF,  asthma;  allergies  must  be  established  and  treated  accordingly. (Refer respiratory disease condition chapter 9) 

Note: Refer to high facility with expertise when cough persist and failed to establish the cause or when  association with fever.