Differential Diagnosis for Cough

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Acute Bronchitis: This is often the most common cause of cough, typically resulting from a viral upper respiratory infection. It's characterized by a cough that may produce mucus, often accompanied by other symptoms like sore throat and runny nose.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Asthma: A chronic condition causing inflammation and constriction of the airways, leading to cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Cough can be a predominant symptom, especially at night or with exercise.
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Includes conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis, characterized by a long-term cough, often producing mucus, and shortness of breath.
  • Allergic Rhinitis: An allergic reaction to airborne substances like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, leading to postnasal drip, which can cause a cough.
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus can irritate the throat and lungs, causing a cough.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs that can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. While not the most common cause of cough, it's critical to diagnose due to the potential for severe complications, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with compromised immune systems.
  • Lung Cancer: A persistent cough, especially if it's new, worsening, or accompanied by other symptoms like weight loss, chest pain, or hemoptysis (coughing up blood), necessitates a thorough evaluation for lung cancer.
  • Pulmonary Embolism: A blockage of an artery in the lungs, which can cause a sudden onset of cough, often accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, and possibly syncope (fainting).
  • Tuberculosis (TB): A bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body. It's characterized by a chronic cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder that results in severe damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. It's characterized by a persistent cough, frequent lung infections, and poor growth or weight gain in children.
  • Sarcoidosis: An inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but most commonly the lungs and lymph glands. It can cause a cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
  • Bronchiectasis: A condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened, leading to a chronic cough, often producing large amounts of mucus, and frequent infections.