Differential Diagnosis for 72-year-old Female with Allergy Concerns
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Allergic Rhinitis: The patient's symptoms of runny nose, itchy eyes, and cough, which worsen with exposure to pollen, dust, and mold, are classic for allergic rhinitis. The recent exposure to dust while cleaning the refrigerator likely triggered these symptoms.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Acute Bronchitis: The patient's cough, mild yellow sputum, and wheezing at night could suggest an infectious component, making acute bronchitis a possible diagnosis, especially given the recent onset of symptoms.
- Asthma: The wheezing and cough, particularly at night, could also indicate asthma, especially if the patient has a history of allergies, which can be a trigger for asthma symptoms.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pneumonia: Although less likely given the context of allergy symptoms, pneumonia could present with cough, wheezing, and sputum production. It's crucial to consider this diagnosis, especially in an elderly patient, as pneumonia can be severe and requires prompt treatment.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbation: If the patient has a history of COPD, the current symptoms could represent an exacerbation, which would need to be addressed differently than allergic rhinitis or acute bronchitis.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: This is a rare condition caused by an allergic reaction to inhalation of various substances, including mold and dust. It could be considered if the patient's symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment for allergic rhinitis and other more common conditions.
- Occupational or Environmental Lung Disease: Depending on the patient's exposure history (beyond the recent refrigerator cleaning), other lung diseases related to environmental exposures could be considered, though they are less likely given the acute onset of symptoms in this context.