The child with an incessant dry cough

The child with a cough.

Management of persistent dry cough.

Cough is probably the commonest symptom aVecting humans, with prevalence rates variously reported within the range 5–40%. Acute or short lived cough, which most commonly occurs in association with viral upper respiratory infection, is of little consequence, usually resolving in a matter of days. Persistent cough, however, may be associated with considerable morbidity including sleep loss, exhau...

A man with fever, urticaria, periorbital oedema and dry cough.

A tile factory worker presenting with breathlessness and dry cough.

Jenny, a nonsmoker, 54 years of age, presents with 3 years of dry cough, progressive breathlessness and reducing exercise tolerance. Two years ago she was diagnosed with asthma and treated with inhaled bronchodilators (which have been marginally effective). Jenny has worked in a tile factory for 22 years; 15 years in the grinding department, transferring to the chipping department 7 years ago. ...

A female with dry cough, progressive dyspnoea and weight loss.

CASE HISTORY A 43-yr-old Chinese female presented with dry cough, weight loss of 2 kg, and progressive breathlessness of 1 month duration. Her symptoms progressed despite two courses of oral antibiotics (a macrolide and a b-lactam) and traditional Chinese medication. There was no fever, wheeze, haemoptysis or chest discomfort. She was a life-long nonsmoker and worked in an office environment wi...