COPD vs. Pneumonia

Of course, COPD by definition is a chronic condition with exacerbations whereas pneumonia is more of an acute (but persistent) thing. Pneumonia can be wet or dry (i.e. with or without secretions). Pneumocystis or fungal pneumonias tend to be "dry", for example. Different forms of COPD such as bronchiectasis have copious secretions when "normal" or stable.

Also, many of these can be limited to a particular lobe, so you may get adventitious breath sounds in some areas but not others. With a chronic condition, chances are you see some compensatory mechanisms on their bloodwork as well, such as an elevated bicarb. And as AIDEY mentioned (above) these all can be piled on top of one another.
 
History, until proven otherwise.


They have a history of COPD? It's probably COPD. They have no history of COPD but have been otherwise 'sick' lately? Probably pneumonia.
 
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