Differential Diagnosis for Subacute Cough
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Postnasal drip syndrome: This is often the most common cause of subacute cough, resulting from the trickle of secretions from the nose or sinuses into the back of the throat, triggering cough.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Asthma: Cough can be a predominant symptom of asthma, especially in cases where wheezing is not prominent.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach acid reflux into the esophagus can irritate the throat and trigger coughing.
- Chronic bronchitis: Part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to cough.
- Infections (e.g., pertussis, bronchitis, pneumonia): Various infections can cause subacute cough, depending on the pathogen and the patient's immune status.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Lung cancer: Although less common, lung cancer can present with a subacute cough, making it crucial not to miss this potentially life-threatening condition.
- Tuberculosis (TB): A chronic infection that can cause cough, TB is important to diagnose early due to its public health implications and the need for specific treatment.
- Pulmonary embolism: While more commonly associated with acute symptoms, some cases of pulmonary embolism can present with a subacute cough, among other symptoms.
- Foreign body aspiration: Especially in children, aspiration of a foreign body can cause a subacute cough and is a medical emergency.
Rare Diagnoses
- Sarcoidosis: A condition characterized by the growth of granulomas in various parts of the body, sarcoidosis can affect the lungs and cause cough.
- Eosinophilic pneumonia: A rare condition involving eosinophilic infiltration of the lungs, which can cause cough among other symptoms.
- Cystic fibrosis: While typically diagnosed in childhood, some cases of cystic fibrosis may not be diagnosed until adulthood, presenting with chronic or subacute cough.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-induced cough: Certain medications, like ACE inhibitors used for hypertension, can cause a dry, persistent cough in some patients.