Differential Diagnosis for Cough, Arthalgia, and Fever
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Influenza: This is a common illness that matches all the symptoms provided, including cough, arthalgia (joint pain), and fever. Influenza is highly contagious and can cause severe illness, especially in vulnerable populations.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection: RSV can cause symptoms similar to influenza, including cough, fever, and body aches, which could be interpreted as arthalgia.
- Pneumonia: Bacterial or viral pneumonia can present with cough, fever, and body aches, including arthalgia, especially if the infection is severe.
- Bronchitis: Acute bronchitis, often caused by a viral infection, can lead to cough, fever, and body aches.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Sepsis: Although less common, sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can arise from an infection and presents with fever, among other symptoms. The cough and arthalgia could be part of a systemic response to infection.
- Tuberculosis (TB): TB is a serious infection that can cause cough, fever, and body aches. It's crucial to consider TB, especially in individuals with risk factors such as immunocompromised status or recent travel to areas with high TB prevalence.
- Endocarditis: This is an infection of the heart valves and can present with fever and systemic symptoms, including arthalgia. A cough could be present if there is an associated pulmonary embolism or heart failure.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Rheumatic Fever: This is a rare complication of untreated streptococcal infection and can cause fever, arthalgia, and possibly a cough if there is cardiac involvement.
- Sarcoidosis: A systemic disease that can affect multiple parts of the body, including the lungs, causing cough, and the joints, causing arthalgia, along with fever.
- Connective Tissue Diseases (e.g., Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis): These diseases can present with a wide range of symptoms, including fever, arthalgia, and possibly cough if there is lung involvement. However, they are less likely to present acutely with all these symptoms simultaneously.