What condition is indicated by cough, shortness of breath, and fever?

The presence of cough, shortness of breath, and fever is most commonly associated with pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that typically results from bacteria, viruses, or fungi, leading to inflammation and consolidation of lung tissue. The infection causes the body to respond with symptoms such as cough, which is a mechanism to clear secretions from the airways, shortness of breath due to impaired gas exchange, and fever as a response to the infection.

Asthma can cause shortness of breath and coughing, but it is usually associated with wheezing rather than fever. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a productive cough and shortness of breath, primarily from chronic inflammation of the airways, but fever is not a typical symptom unless there is an acute exacerbation or superinfection. Pulmonary edema can lead to shortness of breath and cough, particularly if there's fluid accumulation in the lungs, but it does not typically present with fever unless there’s an underlying infectious cause.

Therefore, when considering the combination of these symptoms, pneumonia is the most fitting diagnosis.