Differential Diagnosis of the Common Cold
1. Differentiation between the common cold and pertussis: Pertussis is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis, commonly seen in children. It is characterized by paroxysmal spasmodic cough accompanied by a long, high-pitched inspiratory sound similar to that of a whooping crane. The early symptoms of this disease are similar to those of the common cold and can be easily confused. After about 7-10 days, characteristic spasmodic cough appears, which is a series of short, successive coughs, ten to several dozen in a row, followed by a deep intake of breath that produces a high-pitched whooping sound, after which there is a temporary pause before the episode repeats. The course of the disease can last up to three months. These features are not present in the common cold and can be used for differentiation.
2. Differentiation between the common cold and scarlet fever: Scarlet fever is an acute infectious disease caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Its clinical features include fever, pharyngitis, a diffuse bright red rash all over the body, and obvious desquamation of the skin after the rash subsides. Because scarlet fever and the common cold are both common diseases in winter and spring, and their early symptoms are very similar, they can be easily confused. However, after the onset of scarlet fever, the throat is obviously red, swollen, and painful, a typical rash appears within 24 hours, and the tongue is bright red and coated like a strawberry, all of which are markedly different from the common cold and can be used for differentiation.
3. Differentiation between the common cold and poliomyelitis: Poliomyelitis in children is an acute infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. This disease mostly occurs in summer and autumn and is mainly transmitted through the digestive tract. It often affects children, especially those under 5 years old, hence it is also known as "infantile paralysis." The incubation period for this disease is 3-35 days, with an average of 5-14 days. The onset can be gradual or sudden, mainly manifesting as fever, usually between 38°C and 39°C, accompanied by sweating, and upper respiratory tract inflammation symptoms such as cough and runny nose. After 2-3 days, the body temperature can return to normal. Then, 1-6 days later, fever recurs, forming two peaks of fever with the first one, known as a "biphasic fever pattern." This is a special fever pattern for poliomyelitis and can be used to differentiate it from the common cold. Subsequently, typical symptoms such as muscle pain, hyperesthesia, stiff neck and back, and eventually limb paralysis gradually appear.
4. Diseases such as measles, poliomyelitis, and encephalitis often have upper respiratory symptoms in the early stages of the illness, so close observation and necessary laboratory tests should be conducted.