ABSTRACT
History A 65-year-old woman with a persistent cough comes to see you in general practice. She says that the cough has been present for months but that it has got worse in the last week with associated coryzal symptoms. There is no history of haemoptysis, chest pain or weight loss. She does not have asthma and is on medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. She has a 30 pack-year smoking history, although she gave up 2 years ago.
