Cough

Question 1

Symptoms?

Answer 1

• Sore Throat
• Nausea
• Fever
• Body Aches 
• Vomiting
• Runny or Stuffy Nose 
• Wheezing and Shortness of breath

Chronic Cough symptoms 

• Chest infections 
• Pneumonia 
• Coughing up coloured Phlegm

Question 2

Questions?

Answer 2

When did you start experiencing the cough? 

Have you had any treatment and if so, what? 

What does your cough sound like? 

Is there anything that triggers/ aggravates/ eases your cough? 

How often would you cough? 

What type of cough is it? Dry/reproductive?

What does the phlegm/sputum look like, if there is any? 

Is the cough worse at night or throughout the day?

Do you have any chest/throat/tummy pain? 

Do you smoke/have you smoked in the past/does anybody smoke in the household?

Have you worked/do you work anywhere that exposes you to smoke?

Do you have a family history of lung cancer/COPD/asthma?

Have you had a recent respiratory tract infection?

Have you travelled out of the country recently? 

How does the cough impact your day-to-day activities?

Question 3

Red flags?

Answer 3

If your cough lasts longer than 3 weeks or if it’s accompanied by symptoms like:

Fever

Discoloured mucus

Shortness of breath 

          Coughs that are subacute or chronic may indicate something serious that needs medical attention. Seek emergency medical care if these symptoms occur:

       -     Coughing up blood

       -     Difficulty breathing 

       -     High fever

       -     Chest pain

       -     Confusion

       -     Fainting

Question 4

Treatment?

Answer 4

Guaifenesin:

• Robitussin Chesty Cough Medicine
• One 10ml measure up to four times daily.
• Not to be given to children under12 years

OR

Benylin Dry & Tickly Cough Syrup:

• Adults and children over 5 years: 10 ml. Children 1 – 5 years: 5 ml. The dose may be repeated three or four times a day
• Not to be given to children under 1 year.