Differential Diagnosis
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Acute bronchitis: The patient's symptoms of worsening cough, burning sensation in the chest, wheezing, and shortness of breath with coughing spells are consistent with acute bronchitis, possibly triggered by a viral or bacterial infection. The improvement in sore throat after taking antibiotics suggests that the initial infection was bacterial, but the respiratory symptoms may have progressed to involve the lower respiratory tract.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Pneumonia: The patient's symptoms of worsening cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing could be indicative of pneumonia, especially if the initial bacterial infection has spread to the lungs.
- Asthma exacerbation: The patient's symptoms of wheezing and shortness of breath with coughing spells could be indicative of an asthma exacerbation, possibly triggered by a viral or bacterial infection.
- Influenza: The patient's symptoms of sore throat, fatigue, and cough could be indicative of influenza, especially if the initial infection was viral.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Pulmonary embolism: Although less likely, pulmonary embolism could present with sudden onset of shortness of breath and chest pain, and would be a deadly diagnosis if missed.
- Epiglottitis: This is a rare but life-threatening condition that could present with severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and shortness of breath.
- Pneumothorax: A spontaneous pneumothorax could present with sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath, and would be a deadly diagnosis if missed.
- Rare diagnoses
- Mycoplasma pneumonia: This is a rare cause of pneumonia that could present with symptoms similar to those of the patient, including cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
- Chlamydia pneumonia: This is another rare cause of pneumonia that could present with symptoms similar to those of the patient, including cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
- Bronchiolitis obliterans: This is a rare condition that could present with symptoms similar to those of the patient, including cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing, although it is more commonly seen in children.