20th February 2025

A 37-year-old stone mason presents to A&E with increased shortness of breath and a dry cough, which has been ongoing for 4 weeks.

A 37-year-old stone mason presents to A&E with increased shortness of breath and a dry cough, which has been ongoing for 4 weeks. It is now worsening and keeping him from doing his job. There is no haemoptysis or chest pain. He reports no fevers.

He is tachypnoeic and tachycardic. Chest examination reveals bibasal crackles. 

CXR shows patchy bilateral lower zone consolidation. Viral screen is negative. 

What is the most likely diagnosis?

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