RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 One hundred coughs JF Canadian Family Physician JO Can Fam Physician FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada SP 236 OP 237 VO 54 IS 2 A1 Worrall, Graham J. YR 2008 UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/54/2/236.abstract AB 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.