Symptoms that may indicate a life threatening diagnosis
Address immediately symptoms that may indicate a life threatening diagnosis:
ss raises suspicion for chronic infection (eg, tuberculosis, lung abscess) or rheumatic disease.
●Purulent sputum warrants evaluation for pulmonary and possibly sinus infection, followed by treatment of identified infections.
●Dyspnea can be a clue to airway obstruction (laryngeal, tracheal, bronchial, bronchiolar) or lung parenchymal disease. Other features such as waxing and waning versus progressively worsening symptoms, particular triggers, associated hoarseness, and focal abnormalities on examination can help focus the investigation. Pulmonary function testing, including pre- and postbronchodilator testing, is important to characterize the potential problem causing both dyspnea and cough.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++