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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions ā€” written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Bronchitis differential diagnosis

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Bronchitis must be differentiated from other diseases that cause cough such as asthma, pneumonia, bronchiectasis and CHF.

Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

The Bronchitis must be differentiated from other diseases that may cause cough, dyspnea and wheezing[1].

Disease Findings
Pneumonia Presents with acute fever, cough and shortness of breath, although pulmonary infiltrate on chest x-ray is an imaging finding.[2]
Asthma Presents with cough, dyspnea and wheezing and typically is a chronic condition which typically starts during childhood.[3]
Bronchiectasis Presents copious purulent sputum, coarse crackles, clubbing and CT findings suggestive of bronchiectasis.[3]
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease May present with chronic dry cough but the typical symptom is heart burn.[4][5]
Congestive heart failure Features with orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, fine crackles on auscultation and chest x-ray findings of cardiac enlargement and pulmonary congestion (Kerley B lines, and pleural effusion).
References

References

  1. ā†‘ Albert RH (2010). “Diagnosis and treatment of acute bronchitis”. Am Fam Physician. 82 (11): 1345ā€“50. PMIDĀ 21121518.
  2. ā†‘ Prina E, Ranzani OT, Torres A (2015). “Community-acquired pneumonia”. Lancet. 386 (9998): 1097ā€“108. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60733-4. PMIDĀ 26277247.
  3. ā†‘ 3.0 3.1 Busse WW (2011). “Asthma diagnosis and treatment: filling in the information gaps”. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 128 (4): 740ā€“50. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2011.08.014. PMIDĀ 21875745.
  4. ā†‘ Singh A (2009). “Asthma in older adults”. CMAJ. 181 (12): 929. doi:10.1503/cmaj.109-2049. PMCĀ 2789137. PMIDĀ 19969583.
  5. ā†‘ Irwin RS, Baumann MH, Bolser DC, Boulet LP, Braman SS, Brightling CE, Brown KK, Canning BJ, Chang AB, Dicpinigaitis PV, Eccles R, Glomb WB, Goldstein LB, Graham LM, Hargreave FE, Kvale PA, Lewis SZ, McCool FD, McCrory DC, Prakash UB, Pratter MR, Rosen MJ, Schulman E, Shannon JJ, Smith Hammond C, Tarlo SM (2006). “Diagnosis and management of cough executive summary: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines”. Chest. 129 (1 Suppl): 1Sā€“23S. doi:10.1378/chest.129.1_suppl.1S. PMCĀ 3345522. PMIDĀ 16428686.

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Seyedmahdi Pahlavani, M.D. [2]; Nate Michalak, B.A.