Respiratory disease- signs and symptoms

Question 1

What are the core respiratory symptoms?

Answer 1

• SOB
• Cough
• Sputum
• Haemoptysis
• Pleuritic chest pain
• Chest tightness
• Wheezes
• Fever/Chills
• Night sweats/Rigors
• Weight loss

Question 2

Possible differential diagnoses for SOB?

Answer 2

1. > 50yrs old and Acute SOB
   - COPD
   - CCF
2. > 50 yrs old and Chronic SOB
   - COPD
   - CCF
   - IPF
3. <50yrs old and Acute SOB
   - PE
   - Asthma
4. <50 yrs old and Chronic SOB
   - Asthma

Question 3

Possible DDx for cough?

Answer 3

1. URT
   - URTI
   - sinusitis
   - rhinitis
   - post-nasal drip
2. LRT
   - LRTI/pneumonia
   - TB
   - Asthma
   - COPD
3. GI
   - GORD
4. Drugs
   - ACE Inhibitors
   - B-blockers
   - Aspirin

Question 4

Possible DDx for sputum?

Answer 4

URT 
 - post-nasal drip 
LRT 
- LRTI/Pneumonia 
 - TB 
- bronchiectasis 
- COPD

Question 5

Possible DDx for haemoptysis?

Answer 5

Bronchogenic neoplasm 
TB 
PE 
Pneumonia 
Bronchiectasis

Question 6

Possible DDx for pleurietic chest pain?

Answer 6

PE
Pneumonia
Pneumothorax

(pleural effusion may present with discomfort and may not be pleuritic)

Question 7

Possible DDx of wheeze?

Answer 7

*Hallmark of obstructive airway diseases

COPD
Asthma

Bronchiectasis and T1HS also but less commonly

Question 8

Possible DDx of fevers, chills, and sweats?

Answer 8

Signs of infection

• URTI
• Sinusitis
• Pharyngitis
• LRTI
• Pneumonia

Question 9

Possible DDx of rigors?

Answer 9

Septicemia
TB
Empyema
Lung Abscess

Question 10

Possible DDx of night sweats?

Answer 10

TB
Empyema
Lung abscess

Question 11

Possible DDx of Weight loss?

Answer 11

Bronchogenic neoplasm
End stage COPD
TB
Empyema