Respiratory Illness

 

Respiratory diseases can present in many different ways. There is a need to improve early diagnosis and treatment in any condition, yet this is only done through early presentation to healthcare services.

 

The commonest problems that can present as respiratory illness are cough that is persistent (lasting for more than 3 weeks), breathlessness that is unexplained or worsening, chest pains not related to the heart, coughing up blood and unexplained weight loss. They can present individually or several together.

 

There are many causes for each of these symptoms which can be difficult to get to in some cases. Only thorough and systematic investigation can achieve this.