COUGHING

COUGH/COUGHING AS 

Cough is a sign of irritation of the throat and wind pipe which comes suddenly. In addition common causes of cough in children include pneumonia, asthma, mucus, blocked nostrils, adenoids, aspiration of foreign body or poison e.g  kerosene. Heart diseases may also present with cough. In our Findings, we have outlined about 5 findings, examination and prescription, so know yours at the initial stage before taking medical prescription….

FINDINGS  1

Cough, fever with one of the following: difficult to wake and fast breathing

EXAMINATION:

Chest in-drawing, temperature of about 37.5 degree Celsius or above

Respiratory of 40 or more per min.

CLINICAL JUDGEMENT;

Severe condition suspect pneumonia

PRESCRIPTION

Give Co-trimoxazole tablet 480mg stat

Benzyl penicillin IM3ml 6hrly x 2 days

Cotrimozazole  tb  480mg bd x 5 days

Paracematol 300mg qds x 3 days

Review 3 days

NOTE: IF NOIMPROVEMENT REFER…..

FINDINGS 2

Cough, fever with noisy and difficult breathing

EXAMINATION:

Chest in-drawing. Hash noise on inspiration or soft noise on expiration. Temperature 37.5 degree Celsius or above. Respiratory rate 40breath beats or more per minute.

PRESCRIPTION:

Severe condition suspect asthma

Give Cotrimoxazole 480mg bd x 5 days

IV Amnophylline 5ml given slowly over 10minutes stat

If no improvement refer to hospital

FINDINGS 3

Cough of 3 weeks or more with or without weight loss. Blood in sputum

EXAMINATION:

Loss of weight

Cough with or without bloodstain

PRESCRIPTION:

Severe condition suspect Tuberculosis

Collect sputum for investigation

If 2 out of 3 specimens are positive. Refer for treatment

Follow up at home….

FINDINGS 4

Persistent or recurrent cough more than one month, skin rash, mouth ulcer, fever, weight loss with or without diarrhea

EXAMINATION:

Skin rash, marked loss of weight.  Oral thrush, Temperature 37.5 degree Celsius or above, mouth ulcers

Severe condition suspect HIV/AIDS

Refer to the hospital VCT

FINDNGS  5

Cough condition, fever with fast breathing

EXAMINATION:

Fast breathing. Warm to touch. Temperature 37.5dgre celcius or above

CLINIAL JUDGEMENT

Moderate condition suspect Pneumonia

PESCRIPTION:

Give paracetamol  500mg qds x 3 days with SP

Give Cotrimoxazole 480mg  bd x 5 days

Home care. Warm tea and honey

Review after 3 days and if no improvement refer to doctor