Differential diagnoses of acute bronchitis
Respiratory System (J00-J99)
- Onset bronchial asthma
- Bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small branches of the bronchial tree, called bronchioles) – infection with respiratory syncytial viruses (RS viruses), influenza viruses, or adenoviruses; disease peaks at 3-6 months of age
- Croup syndrome – acute inflammation of the larynx (laryngitis) with swelling of the mucous membrane, which preferentially affects the trachea (windpipe) below the vocal cords.
- Pneumonia (pneumonia)
Neoplasms – tumor diseases (C00-D48)
- Tumors of the bronchi
Injuries, poisonings, and other consequences of external causes (S00-T98).
- Foreign body aspiration (inhalation of foreign bodies); symptoms: inspiratory stridor (breathing sound during inhalation (inspiration); esp. in children) – Note: An interdisciplinary approach is always required when removing foreign bodies from the airways of children!
Differential diagnoses of chronic bronchitis
Respiratory System (J00-J99)
- Alveolitis – inflammation of the alveoli.
- Bronchial asthma
- Bronchiectasis (synonym: bronchiectasis) – persistent irreversible saccular or cylindrical dilatation of the bronchi (medium-sized airways), which may be congenital or acquired; symptoms: chronic cough with “mouthful expectoration” (large-volume triple-layered sputum: foam, mucus, and pus), fatigue, weight loss, and decreased exercise capacity
- Pulmonary fibrosis – abnormal proliferation of connective tissue in the lungs.
- Pneumoconiosis (pneumoconiosis)
- Pleurisy (pleurisy)
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90).
- Cystic fibrosis (ZF) – genetic disease with autosomal recessive inheritance characterized by the production of secretions in various organs to be tamed.
Cardiovascular system (I00-I99).
- Pulmonary embolism – blockage of a pulmonary artery by a blood clot.
- Pulmonary congestion associated with heart failure (cardiac insufficiency).
- Pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium)
- Pulmonary hypertension – high blood pressure due to pulmonary vascular disease.
Mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and intestines (K00-K67; K90-K93).
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (synonyms: GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); gastroesophageal reflux disease (reflux disease); gastroesophageal reflux; reflux esophagitis; reflux disease; Reflux esophagitis; peptic esophagitis) – inflammatory disease of the esophagus (esophagitis) caused by the pathological reflux (reflux) of acid gastric juice and other gastric contents.
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99).
- Granulomatoses – inflammation with nodule formation.
- Collagenoses – autoimmune diseases of the connective tissue.
Neoplasms – tumor diseases (C00-D48)
- Tumors of the bronchi
Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99)
- Psychogenic cough (synonyms: somatic cough disorder, tic-cough; common in children six to 16 years of age) – compulsion to cough or clear throat.
Injuries, poisonings, and other sequelae of external causes (S00-T98).
- Foreign body aspiration (inhalation of foreign bodies); symptoms: inspiratory stridor (breathing sound during inhalation (inspiration); esp. in children) – Note: An interdisciplinary approach is always required when removing foreign bodies from the airways of children!
Further
- Voice overload
Medication
- Antiarrhythmics – medications for cardiac arrhythmias such as amiodarone.
- Antihypertensives – drugs against high blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers.
Environmental stresses – intoxications (poisonings).
- Workplace toxins – harmful substances in the workplace.
- Tobacco smoke
