Differential Diagnosis for Cough with Green Sputum
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Acute Bronchitis: This is often the most common cause of cough with green sputum, typically resulting from a viral or bacterial infection. The green coloration is due to the presence of pus, indicating a significant inflammatory response.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Chronic Bronchitis: Part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis involves long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to persistent cough and sputum production, which can be green due to chronic infection.
- Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Bacterial pneumonia often presents with cough, fever, and green or yellow sputum.
- Asthma: Although asthma is characterized by wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, some patients may produce green sputum, especially if they have a concurrent respiratory infection.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Lung Abscess: A rare but serious condition where an abscess forms in the lung tissue, often as a complication of pneumonia. It can present with cough, fever, and green or foul-smelling sputum.
- Tuberculosis (TB): A bacterial infection that can cause cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. While the sputum is more commonly described as blood-tinged, it can occasionally appear green due to secondary infections.
- Bronchiectasis: A condition where parts of the airways are permanently enlarged, leading to chronic cough, large amounts of sputum, and recurrent infections. The sputum can be green due to the chronic nature of the infections.
Rare Diagnoses
- Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder that leads to severe respiratory and digestive problems. Patients often have chronic cough, large amounts of green or yellow sputum, and recurrent lung infections.
- Aspiration Pneumonia: Occurs when food, liquids, vomit, or saliva is inhaled into the lungs. It can present with cough, fever, and green or foul-smelling sputum if there's a significant anaerobic infection.
- Parasitic Infections: Certain parasites, like Paragonimus westermani (lung fluke), can infect the lungs and cause cough with green sputum, though this is rare in most parts of the world.