Differential Diagnosis for Fever, Larynx Inflammation, Shortness of Breath, and Heart Inflammation

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Acute Rheumatic Fever: Characterized by fever, inflammation of the heart (carditis), and can also involve the larynx and respiratory system, leading to shortness of breath. It typically follows a streptococcal infection.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Infective Endocarditis: Presents with systemic symptoms like fever and shortness of breath, and less commonly with laryngeal involvement due to embolic phenomena.
  • Streptococcal Pharyngitis with Complications: Can lead to local complications such as peritonsillar abscess or more systemic conditions like acute rheumatic fever.
  • Influenza with Secondary Bacterial Infection: Causes severe respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath, and secondary bacterial infections can lead to laryngitis and pneumonia, with potential for heart involvement.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Epiglottitis: A medical emergency that can cause severe shortness of breath and is associated with fever and laryngeal inflammation, with a high mortality rate if not promptly treated.
  • Lemierre's Syndrome: A rare condition characterized by a bacterial infection of the throat, leading to sepsis, respiratory distress, and potential heart involvement, with high morbidity and mortality.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Kawasaki Disease: An acute febrile illness that predominantly affects children, leading to cardiac complications, including myocarditis and coronary artery aneurysms.
  • Behçet's Disease: A form of vasculitis that can affect multiple systems, including the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, presenting with a wide range of symptoms, but is relatively rare and unusual for this specific combination of symptoms.