A 75-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with worsening cough and shortness of breath. He also has a fever and general malaise. What should be the approach in this case?
This patient's symptoms could be due to an influenza infection, which can exacerbate underlying COPD. Given his age and chronic lung disease, he's at higher risk for complications from the flu. Antiviral therapy with a neuraminidase inhibitor (like oseltamivir) should be started as soon as possible, regardless of the time since symptom onset. A chest x-ray should also be considered to rule out a superimposed bacterial pneumonia.