Failure to Respond

Abstract

A 52-year-old man presented to his primary care physician with dyspnea and cough. For the past 15 years, he had had recurrent episodes of cough that were relieved only by intermittent courses of oral corticosteroids. In the past 3 weeks, his cough had increased in frequency, and severe dyspnea had developed. This time, 2 weeks of prednisone had not provided relief. He had occasional chills but no fever.