[47F] Experiencing chest pain and cough

Patient Description

A 47-year-old female presents with moderate dry cough for 5 days and sharp chest pain when coughing or laughing, rated 7/10 in severity, for 4 days. The pain is located in the middle of the chest and radiates to the back. The patient also reports a history of recurrent bronchitis, with 4 episodes in the past year. Current medications include Prednisone (50 mg for 5 days), Moxifloxacin (400 mg for 7 days for bronchitis), Symbicort inhaler (200 mcg, 6 times per day), and over-the-counter B12 supplement (2000 mcg daily). The patient has experienced fever and chills, but not today, and reports a painful forehead when coughing. No known drug allergies, no smoking history, and no recent illnesses like a cold or the flu.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms and medical history, the following conditions could be possible:

  • Bronchitis: Given your history of recurrent bronchitis, your symptoms of chest pain, coughing, and fatigue could be indicative of another bronchitis episode. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus, as well as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness.

    • Treatment typically involves rest, fluids, and in some cases, antibiotics or medications to manage symptoms.
  • Pneumonia: This is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Chest pain is also a common symptom, especially when coughing or breathing deeply.

    • Treatment typically involves antibiotics, rest, fluids, and medications to manage symptoms.
  • Pleurisy: This is an inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest (the pleura) that leads to chest pain (usually sharp) when you take a breath or cough.

    • Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying cause and may include anti-inflammatory drugs or other medications.

Please note that these are potential explanations for your symptoms, but other conditions could also be possible. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

What you can do

Given the severity of your symptoms, especially the chest pain, it's important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can:

  1. Rest and stay hydrated.
  2. Avoid exerting yourself physically, as this could potentially worsen your symptoms.
  3. Continue taking your prescribed medications as directed by your healthcare provider.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Increased difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
  • Severe chest pain.
  • Coughing up blood.
  • A high fever or shaking chills.
  • Symptoms that do not improve or worsen despite treatment.

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you provided. It's always important to consult with a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

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1 yr ago

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People Also Ask


What are the common symptoms of bronchitis?

Common symptoms of bronchitis include a persistent cough that may produce mucus, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue, and sometimes a mild fever and chills.


How can I differentiate between bronchitis and pneumonia?

Bronchitis and pneumonia can have similar symptoms, such as cough and chest pain. However, pneumonia often presents with more severe symptoms like high fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A healthcare provider can perform tests, such as a chest X-ray, to differentiate between the two.


What is pleurisy and how is it treated?

Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining around the lungs and chest. It causes sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause and may include anti-inflammatory medications or other specific treatments.


When should I seek immediate medical attention for chest pain?

You should seek immediate medical attention for chest pain if you experience increased difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, coughing up blood, a high fever, or if your symptoms do not improve or worsen despite treatment.


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