Differential Diagnosis

The patient presents with symptoms of sore throat, congestion, cough, and a history of mild intermittent asthma. Based on the provided information, the following differential diagnosis is organized into categories:

• Single most likely diagnosis:
  • Acute cough: The patient's symptoms of cough, sore throat, and congestion, along with the prescription of guaifenesin and Tessalon Perles for cough management, suggest that acute cough is the most likely primary diagnosis.
• Other Likely diagnoses:
  • Mild intermittent asthma, uncomplicated: The patient reports needing a refill for their albuterol inhaler, indicating that their asthma symptoms are being managed.
  • Other specified respiratory disorders: The patient's symptoms could be attributed to a viral etiology, and the prescription of methylPREDNISolone suggests that the healthcare provider is considering the possibility of an underlying respiratory condition.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.):
  • Pneumonia: Although the patient's symptoms are currently mild, pneumonia is a potential complication of respiratory infections that could be deadly if missed.
  • Acute bronchitis: The patient's cough and congestion could be indicative of acute bronchitis, which may require antibiotic treatment if caused by a bacterial infection.
  • Influenza: The patient's symptoms could be consistent with influenza, which can be severe and even life-threatening in certain populations.
• Rare diagnoses:
  • Pulmonary embolism: Although unlikely, pulmonary embolism is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that could present with cough and shortness of breath.
  • Interstitial lung disease: The patient's symptoms could be indicative of an underlying interstitial lung disease, although this is unlikely given the acute presentation.