Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Immediate stabilization
Stabilization priorities
Airway
If impending respiratory failure, airway team activation
If altered mental status with hypoventilation, ventilatory support
Breathing
Pulse oximetry target SpO2 92-96%
If SpO2 < 90% on room air, supplemental oxygen
If severe work of breathing, noninvasive ventilation candidacy
Circulation
If hypotension, alternative diagnosis over uncomplicated bronchitis
If shock, sepsis pathway and broad evaluation
Escalation triggers
If SpO2 < 90% despite oxygen, higher level of care
If RR ≥ 30 breaths/min, consider pneumonia or asthma/COPD exacerbation
If new cyanosis, immediate resuscitation bay
High-risk screen
High-risk features
Pneumonia concern
Heart rate ≥ 100 beats/min
Respiratory rate ≥ 24 breaths/min
Oral temperature ≥ 38.0 C
Focal consolidation
Egophony
Increased tactile fremitus
Alternative diagnosis concern
Pleuritic chest pain
Hemoptysis
Syncope or presyncope
Unilateral leg swelling
New confusion
Severe immunocompromise
Comorbidity modifiers
COPD
Asthma
Heart failure
Chronic kidney disease
Advanced age with frailty
Key concepts
Clinical framing
Syndrome definition
Acute cough with lower airway inflammation
Typical duration up to 3 weeks
Etiology patterns
Viral predominance
Bacterial causes uncommon in immunocompetent adults
Management anchor
Pneumonia exclusion over routine antibiotics
Symptom control over pathogen-directed therapy in uncomplicated cases
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.