Influenza, respiratory distress and clear chest films: report of four cases.

Four patients developed severe wheezing and dyspnea with clear chest films during the course of an influenza epidemic. A variety of factors appeared to play a role in the pathogenesis of the respiratory distress. Standard bronchodilator therapy produced no appreciable response.

Obstructive airways disease clinical clues to diagnosis and management.

Although the pulmonary obstruction caused by asthma is reversible, that caused by emphysema and chronic bronchitis is not, so that early diagnosis of these progressive conditions is essential to successful therapy. Cigarette smoking is a major cause of obstructive airways disease; demonstrating the presence of early disease and persuading the patient to give up smoking may greatly improve the prognosis.