Differential Diagnosis for 8-year-old with Respiratory Symptoms
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Asthma exacerbation: The patient has a history of asthma, and symptoms such as shortness of breath, dry cough, wheezing, and chest tightness are consistent with an asthma exacerbation. The patient's symptoms worsening with weather changes and some improvement with albuterol inhaler also support this diagnosis.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Viral upper respiratory infection: The patient's symptoms of sore throat, dry cough, and shortness of breath could be consistent with a viral upper respiratory infection, which may be triggering or exacerbating the patient's asthma.
- Allergic rhinitis: The patient's history of questionable seasonal allergies and symptoms worsening with weather changes could suggest allergic rhinitis, which may be contributing to the patient's respiratory symptoms.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.):
- Pneumonia: Although less likely, pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening condition that can present with similar symptoms, such as shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain.
- Pulmonary embolism: Although extremely rare in children, pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and may present with sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain, and wheezing.
- Epiglottitis: This is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can present with sudden onset of sore throat, shortness of breath, and stridor.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Foreign body aspiration: Although less likely, foreign body aspiration can cause sudden onset of respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing.
- Cystic fibrosis: This is a rare genetic disorder that can cause chronic respiratory symptoms, such as cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath, although it is typically diagnosed at a younger age.