ABSTRACT
Workers should be questioned in detail about the timing of their symptoms. As presented by Kline and Schwartz in Chap. 38, on occupational airway disease, dyspnea, wheezing, or cough may increase across the work shift or may be maximum on Mondays and gradually decrease as the week progresses. Evening symptoms on days with particular or unusual work exposures may help identify the cause. Freedom from symptoms while away from the workplace (weekends, vacations, alternate job assignments) is as notable as symptoms on the job. As with other groups of respiratory symptoms, information should be sought about fever, constitutional symptoms, the duration of symptoms once they de velop, and what measures help to relieve symptoms.
