Question

Chronic nasal drainage, may be purulent, may be present as early as the first weeks after birth, chronic/recurrent sinusitis, chronic wet/productive cough, often worse in the early morning, chronic otitis media, recurrent/chronic bronchitis or PNA are suggestive symptoms of:

a) Asthma
b) Cystic Fibrosis
c) Allergic rhinitis
d) Bronchiolitis

Answer 1

The symptoms listed, including chronic sinusitis, productive cough, otitis media, and recurrent bronchitis, are suggestive of Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic condition affecting the respiratory and digestive systems.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described suggest Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. CF is characterized by the production of abnormally thick and sticky mucus that can clog the airways and trap bacteria leading to infections. The symptoms such as chronic nasal drainage, sinus infections (sinusitis), productive coughs, especially in the morning, persistent middle ear infections (otitis media), and recurrent bronchitis or pneumonia (PNA) are all indicative of the respiratory issues associated with CF.

While asthma can also cause some respiratory symptoms, the presence of purulent nasal drainage and chronic/recurrent infections are more consistent with CF than with asthma. Allergic rhinitis often involves an allergic component leading to sneezing and itchy eyes, which are not mentioned here.

Bronchiolitis, typically an infant disease caused by viral infections, is less likely to persist chronically or recur in the manner described.