Walsh & Hoyt: Sarcoidosis: Respiratory Manifestations

The most common clinical manifestations in patients with sarcoidosis relate to the respiratory system. Cough and shortness of breath are frequent, occurring in 3367% of patients. The cough tends to be nonproductive unless pulmonary changes have resulted in secondary bacterial or fungal infection, in which case the patient may develop a cough that is productive of thick, yellow-green, blood-streaked sputum. Paroxysms of coughing may induce vomiting. Shortness of breath may be mild or severe, even in the early stages of the disease.