• Sputum (productive cough)
• Hemoptysis
• Recent Fever/infection
• Awful reason: Constitutional symptom
• Smoking History

Inquiry Cause of Infection

• Sinus, nose symptoms
• Throat, respiratory symptoms
• Ear symptoms

HPI

1. Nature of Cough:
   • Dry or non-productive.
   • Wet or productive (bringing up phlegm or mucus).
2. Duration:
   • Acute (lasting less than three weeks).
   • Subacute (three to eight weeks).
   • Chronic (more than eight weeks).
3. Associated Symptoms:
   • Fever: Suggestive of infection.
   • Shortness of breath: Could indicate respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD.
   • Wheezing: Often associated with asthma or bronchitis.
   • Nighttime worsening: Common in asthma or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
   • Chest pain or tightness.
   • Weight loss: Could indicate a more serious condition like tuberculosis or cancer.
4. Triggers:
   • Exposure to allergens or irritants.
   • Cold air.
   • Exercise.
5. Medical History:
   • Recent upper respiratory infection (suggesting post-infectious cough).
   • History of smoking (raises concern for COPD or lung cancer).
   • Known allergies or asthma.
6. Medication Use:
   • ACE inhibitors (a type of blood pressure medication) can cause cough.

DDx