Common Cold (URI)

This is a Diagnosis of Exclusion for acute cough or nasal congestion.

No fever (or only the first 1-2 days at most)
No prominent sneezing, or history of repeated episodes (suspect allergic rhinitis)
No new increase in symptoms after resolution had begun, with change to purulent discharge & unilateral facial discomfort (suspect sinusitis)
No true dyspnea, especially on exertion (suspect lung disorder)
Normal lung exam (abnormal exam = something in the lungs)