Ann, a 41 year-old teacher who prided herself on not visiting a doctor in more t

Question

Ann, a 41 year-old teacher who prided herself on not visiting a doctor in more than 15 years, has been having difficulty with a persistant cough.  Ann described the condition as beginning with a runny nose and slight fever for a week and a half followed by a cough that has continued for more than three weeks. The cough is progressively worse in the evenings and it can become so severe that it causes her to vomit. After more than a month of symptoms, Ann has shown up in your waiting room. What do you think is wrong with Ann?  Would antibiotics help Ann? Do you have any other recommendations for her?

Explanation / Answer

The patient may be suffering with bronchitis. It is caused by infection of virus in respiratory tract. Antibiotics are not helpful in this situation as viruses do not respond well to antibiotics. In this case bronchodilator drugs are recommended which dilate the bronchial passage. Expectorants are given to expel cough.

The other recommendations would be for taking lot of fluid for thinning of cough, stay in humid environment and take rest.

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