Differential Diagnosis for Strider in Lungs Following a Cold

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Acute bronchitis: This is the most likely diagnosis as stridor (a high-pitched sound while inhaling) following a cold can be indicative of an upper airway obstruction, which can occur in acute bronchitis due to inflammation and mucus production. However, stridor is more commonly associated with upper airway obstruction, and in the context of lungs and following a cold, it might be more accurate to consider lower respiratory symptoms. Thus, acute bronchitis is considered due to its common occurrence post-upper respiratory infections.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Asthma exacerbation: Asthma can cause wheezing and cough, and if severe, can lead to respiratory distress that might be confused with stridor. It's a common condition that can be triggered by upper respiratory infections.
  • Pneumonia: While pneumonia typically presents with symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath, severe cases can lead to significant respiratory distress, potentially causing sounds that might be mistaken for stridor.
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation: Similar to asthma, COPD exacerbations can cause significant respiratory symptoms, including wheezing and cough, which might be confused with stridor in a clinical context.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Epiglottitis: Although rare, epiglottitis is a life-threatening condition that can cause stridor due to inflammation of the epiglottis. It requires immediate medical attention.
  • Foreign body aspiration: This is another emergency condition that can cause sudden onset of stridor, especially in children. It's crucial to consider this diagnosis to prevent asphyxiation.
  • Angioedema: This condition can cause swelling of the airways, leading to stridor. It can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Relapsing polychondritis: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation of the cartilages of the nose, ears, and trachea, potentially leading to stridor.
  • Tracheomalacia: A condition characterized by softening of the tracheal cartilages, which can cause stridor, especially in infants.
  • Subglottic stenosis: A narrowing of the airway below the vocal cords, which can cause stridor. It can be congenital or acquired.