Differential Diagnosis for Cough with Sputum and Left Sided Chest Pain
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Pneumonia: This is the most likely diagnosis given the symptoms of cough with sputum and localized chest pain, which are classic presentations of pneumonia. The left-sided chest pain suggests involvement of the left lung.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Acute Bronchitis: This condition often presents with cough and sputum production, and chest pain can occur due to coughing or inflammation of the airways.
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE): While not as common as pneumonia, PE can cause sudden onset of chest pain and cough, especially if the embolism is located in a segmental or larger artery in the left lung.
- Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing, and it can be associated with cough and sputum production if there is an underlying infection.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung can cause sudden chest pain and cough, and it is a medical emergency. The pain is typically sharp and worsens with breathing.
- Lung Cancer: Although less likely in the absence of other symptoms like weight loss or prolonged history of smoking, lung cancer can cause localized chest pain and cough, especially if the tumor is located peripherally and involves the pleura.
- Tuberculosis (TB): TB can present with chronic cough, sputum production, and chest pain, especially in individuals from endemic areas or with risk factors for TB.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Empyema: A collection of pus in the pleural space can cause fever, cough, and chest pain, but it is less common and usually occurs as a complication of pneumonia.
- Pulmonary Vasculitis: Conditions like Wegener's granulomatosis can cause cough, chest pain, and sputum production due to inflammation of the blood vessels in the lungs, but these are rare and typically have other systemic symptoms.
- Diaphragmatic Hernia: Although rare, a diaphragmatic hernia can cause chest pain and cough if abdominal contents herniate into the thoracic cavity and irritate the lung or pleura.