Resumen de Breathlessness and cough in the acute setting

Ben G. Marshall, Veronica White, Jo Loveridge

• The symptom of breathlessness is well-recognized as part of the presentation of a wide range of conditions. It can be a manifestation of a life-threatening emergency. In the acute medical setting, the priority is to quickly recognize patients who are critically unwell and require emergency treatment. For these individuals, rapid initial assessment and immediate treatment are essential. However, once the symptoms have stabilized, or in a less acute setting, a more thorough assessment is required. Cough is a common respiratory symptom, often part of a symptom complex, which is troublesome for the patient. It is important to recognize worrying associated features to prompt further investigation.