[19F] Experiencing respiratory symptoms and headache

Patient Description

A 19-year-old female presents with a moderate barking cough that has been worsening over the past week, exacerbated by warm air, and accompanied by coughing up greenish-yellow mucus. She reports a loss of voice described as raspy and scratchy, rated 4 out of 10 in severity, and a throbbing headache on the side of her head, rated 5 out of 10 in intensity, persisting for the past hour. The patient also experiences tiredness, wheezing, post-nasal drip, and a runny nose, with a bit of trouble breathing, but no chest pain, severe respiratory distress, or fever. She has no recent history of respiratory infections and no exposure to smoking. The patient's medical history is significant for anxiety, for which she has been taking sertraline (50 mg daily) for the past year without side effects. She reports an allergy to penicillin but is not on any other medications, over-the-counter drugs, or supplements.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, the most likely diagnoses include:

  • Acute Bronchitis: This is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes in your lungs. Symptoms can include a cough with mucus, trouble breathing, and a wheezing or whistling sound when you breathe.

    • Treatment usually involves rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relievers and cough suppressants. Antibiotics are not typically used unless a bacterial infection is suspected.
  • Laryngitis: This is an inflammation of your voice box from overuse, irritation, or infection. It can cause a raspy or hoarse voice, along with a sore throat and cough.

    • Treatment usually involves resting your voice and drinking plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter pain relievers and cough suppressants can also help.
  • Common Cold: This viral infection of your nose and throat can cause a runny nose, congestion, cough, and sore throat.

    • Treatment involves rest, fluids, and over-the-counter cold remedies to help with symptoms.

Please note that these are just possibilities based on your symptoms. You should see a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.

What you can do

Here are some things you can do to help manage your symptoms:

  1. Rest and hydrate: Make sure you're getting plenty of sleep and drinking lots of fluids to help your body recover.

  2. Over-the-counter remedies: Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines can help manage your symptoms. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the package.

  3. Humidifier: Using a humidifier can help keep your throat moist and reduce your cough.

  4. Avoid irritants: Try to avoid things that can irritate your throat or lungs, like smoke or strong odors.

What you should look out for

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing up blood
  • High fever (over 101.5°F)
  • Symptoms that last more than a week or get worse instead of better

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've given me. It's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

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10 mo ago

People Also Ask


What are the common symptoms of acute bronchitis?

Common symptoms of acute bronchitis include a persistent cough that may produce mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort. It often follows a cold or respiratory infection.


How can laryngitis affect my voice and what are the treatment options?

Laryngitis can cause your voice to become hoarse, raspy, or even temporarily lost. Treatment typically involves resting your voice, staying hydrated, and using over-the-counter pain relievers and cough suppressants.


What are the typical signs of a common cold and how can it be managed?

Typical signs of a common cold include a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, slight body aches, and sneezing. Management includes rest, hydration, and over-the-counter cold remedies to alleviate symptoms.


When should I seek medical attention for respiratory symptoms?

You should seek medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, a high fever over 101.5°F, or if your symptoms persist for more than a week or worsen instead of improving.


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