[70F] Experiencing sharp chest pain with associated symptoms

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, the following conditions may be causing your 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 (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. The chest pain you're experiencing when coughing could be due to the inflammation in your lungs.

  • Treatment usually involves antibiotics, rest, and drinking plenty of fluids.

• Pleurisy: This condition involves 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 depends on the underlying cause of pleurisy.

• Pulmonary Embolism: This is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs. In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from deep veins in the legs or, rarely, from veins in other parts of the body (deep vein thrombosis). Given your recent travel, this is a possibility.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to dissolve the clot and prevent future clots.

Please remember that while these conditions are possibilities, they are not the only possibilities, and only a healthcare professional can provide a definitive diagnosis.

What you can do

Given the severity of your chest pain and your recent travel, it's important that you seek medical attention immediately. Chest pain can be a sign of serious conditions, such as a heart attack, even if you don't have other typical symptoms like shortness of breath.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Severe chest pain
• Chest pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back
• Chest pain that gets worse when you exert yourself
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or fainting

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've provided. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your symptoms in person.