Abstract
CONTEXT: Acute cough is a very common symptom presentation among children in primary care and is usually due to respiratory infection, yet its cost is unknown. An estimate of the cost to healthcare providers and parents would aid budgetary decision-making, and provide an insight into the need for interventions to reduce the burden. PURPOSE: To estimate the cost per child per episode, and the annual population cost in the UK, of acute cough in pre-school children presenting to primary care. DESIGN: Incidence and prevalence-based cost-of-illness study from the perspectives of the UK NHS and of parents and caregivers. SETTING: 11 general practices in Bristol, UK. SUBJECTS: 121 children without known asthma aged 3 to 59 months presenting for the first time with an acute (