Signs and Symptoms of Various Respiratory Conditions

Based on the twelfth edition of EMT Book Chapter 16

Asthma

Acute bronchoconstriction accompanied by excessive mucus

• Wheezing

• Bronchospasm

• Dyspnea

Anaphylaxis

• Flushed skin or hives

• Generalized edema

• Decreased blood pressure (hypotension)

• Laryngeal edema with dyspnea

• Wheezing or stridor

Bronchiolitis

Viral lung infection that swells and clogs the bronchioles (tiny airways)

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Coughing

• Fever

• Dehydration

• Tachypnea

• Tachycardia

Bronchitis

Viral respiratory infection that causes inflammation in bronchi (larger airways)

• Chronic cough (with sputum production)

• Wheezing

• Cyanosis

• Tachypnea

Congestive Heart Failure

• Crackles (pulmonary edema)

• Orthopnea

• Right sided HF: Jugular vein distension & Pedal edema

• Left sided HF: Pulmonary edema & paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Common Cold

• Cough

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Sore throat

COVID-19

• Cough

• Fever

• Dyspnea

• Chest pain

• Anosmia (inability to smell)

Croup

Viral respiratory infection that causes inflammation in the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe)

• Fever

• Barking cough

• Stridor

• Usually in Pediatrics

Diphtheria

Bacterial infection that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the skin

• Difficulty breathing and swallowing

• Sore throat

• Thick, gray buildup in throat and nose

• Fever

Emphysema

Long-term, progressive lung disease where the alveoli (tiny air sacs) in the lungs are damaged and destroyed (connected to COPD and chronic bronchitis)

• Barrel chest

• Pursed lip breathing

• Dyspnea on exertion

• Cyanosis

• Wheezing

• Mostly in older patients

Epiglottitis

• Dyspnea

• High fever

• Stridor

• Drooling

• Difficulty swallowing

• Severe sore throat

• Tripod or sniffling position

• Mostly in pediatric

Influenza type A (flu)

• Cough

• Fever

• Sore throat

• Fatigue

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Contagious airborne bacterial upper airway infection

• Coughing spell

• “Whooping” sound

• Fever

• Younger than 6

Pneumonia

Infection (viral or bacterial) that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which can fill with fluid or pus

• Dyspnea

• Chills, high fever

• Cough

• Green, red, or rust-colored sputum

• Localized wheezing or crackles

• Dry skin

• Nausea, vomiting

• Confusion

Pneumothorax

Partial or total lung collapse caused by air entering the pleural space

• Sudden chest pain with dyspnea

• Decreased breath sounds (affected side)

• Subcutaneous emphysema

Pulmonary embolism

Blockage of an artery in the lungs, usually due to a blood clot that breaks off and enters pulmonary circulation

• Dyspnea

• Occasionally will have sharp chest pain

• Sudden onset

• Tachycardia

• Clear breath sounds initially

• Cyanosis

• Decreased SpO2

• Shortness of breath

Tension pneumothorax

Rapidly worsening, life-threatening emergency where trapped air continuously builds high pressure and crushes the heart

• Severe shortness of breath

• Diminished or absent breath sounds on one side

• Decreased / altered level of conscious

• Neck vein distension

• Tracheal deviation (late stage)

• Hypotension, signs of shock

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Common respiratory virus

• Cough

• Wheezing

• Fever

• Dehydration

Tuberculosis (TB)

Contagious bacterial infection that usually attacks the lungs

• Cough

• Fever

• Fatigue

• Productive / bloody sputum

Pulmonary Edema

Fluid in the lungs

• SOB (shortness of breath)

• Rales (crackles)

• Rhonchi

• Orthopnea (difficulty breathing while lying down)

• Crackles

• Wheezing

• Pink, forthy sputum

• Cyanosis

• Diaphoresis

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Cyanosis

• Confusion

• Pursed-lip breathing

• Increased mucus

• Rapid heart rate

Cystic Fibrosis

Genetic disorder leading to excessively thick mucus production and chronic lung infections

• Asthama-like symptoms