ABSTRACT
Cough is a very common problem; other symptoms may accompany it and help to make a diagnosis. The patient may seek help because the cough is persistent, interferes with sleep or because of anxiety that infection is ‘going to the chest’. Most acute coughs are due to the common cold or acute bronchitis; although acute bronchitis may sometimes be caused by bacteria, antibiotics provide little benefit in this condition unless there is co-morbidity. Quite often a friend or a relative has suggested that the patient should seek medical help. Mothers may fear that their children may choke in the night. Cough medicines for chesty coughs can exacerbate cough. Heart failure may cause a persistent cough, with fine crackles at both lung bases and a typical history of being worse when lying down and producing frothy, non-purulent sputum.
