@article {Worrall236, author = {Graham J. Worrall}, title = {One hundred coughs}, volume = {54}, number = {2}, pages = {236--237}, year = {2008}, publisher = {The College of Family Physicians of Canada}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE To record the presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcome of acute coughs presenting in family practice. DESIGN A case series of consecutive patients with acute cough as their main symptom. SETTING Rural family practice clinic and walk-in centre. PARTICIPANTS One hundred consecutive patients with cough, ages 1 to 90. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical diagnosis of the cause of the cough, management of cough, and whether patients returned for a second visit. RESULTS Seventy-three patients had viral respiratory tract infections; 15 had asthma; 6 had influenza; 4 had pneumonia; and 2 had croup. Eighty-one patients needed no prescription medication; 13 were prescribed steroids or bronchodilators for asthma; and 6 were prescribed antibiotics. No prescriptions for cough suppressants or decongestants were written. Only 7 patients returned to the clinic; 2 were prescribed antibiotics, and the others had no change in treatment. CONCLUSION Most patients with cough require reassurance rather than medications, as their cough is self-limiting. Of the minority that requires medication, twice as many will benefit from adjustment of asthma medication as from antibiotics.}, issn = {0008-350X}, URL = {https://www.cfp.ca/content/54/2/236}, eprint = {https://www.cfp.ca/content/54/2/236.full.pdf}, journal = {Canadian Family Physician} }