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A Follow Up Question To The Other Day....I've Had A
Question: A follow up question to the other day....I've had a sore throat first followed by a cold and cough...not unusual...starting with the sore throat was 12-13 days ago followed by the rest...cough could be bronchitis seems deep and yellow greenish phlegm.
Took a Z pack and the dr has ordered another antibiotic now...it may be viral but is it unusual for the right side of my chest to ache and hurt a bit?? Thanks. I am a worrier and with the symptoms its unlikely cancer, or something else? I quit smoking 35 years ago but always worry.
Took a Z pack and the dr has ordered another antibiotic now...it may be viral but is it unusual for the right side of my chest to ache and hurt a bit?? Thanks. I am a worrier and with the symptoms its unlikely cancer, or something else? I quit smoking 35 years ago but always worry.
Brief Answer:
Not likely to be lung cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for requesting me, it's good to hear from you again. The symptoms you describe, with the sore throat and runny nose followed by cough with phlegm and chest pain, describes a very typical case of acute bronchitis caused by a viral upper respiratory infection. The cough from an acute bronchitis can last up to 3 weeks, and with the prolonged coughing, can also cause chest pain from strain of the muscles between the ribs. This would be supported if the pain you feel is worse by certain movements or by taking a deep breath.
So at this point, I don't think there is any reason to not think this is a normal bronchitis. If you have worsening shortness of breath or fever, you should get a chest x-ray to make sure you don't have a pneumonia.
If you developed any blood in your sputum, this would be more concerning for lung cancer and you should get a chest x-ray, followed by a CT scan of the chest if there was any concern. If in another week your cough is not getting better, I would also talk to your doctor about getting a chest x-ray to make sure everything looks alright, and again, if there was any concern, to follow it up with a CT scan.
I hope that helps, if you have any questions about any of that, please feel free to ask and I'd be glad to answer them.
Not likely to be lung cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, thanks for requesting me, it's good to hear from you again. The symptoms you describe, with the sore throat and runny nose followed by cough with phlegm and chest pain, describes a very typical case of acute bronchitis caused by a viral upper respiratory infection. The cough from an acute bronchitis can last up to 3 weeks, and with the prolonged coughing, can also cause chest pain from strain of the muscles between the ribs. This would be supported if the pain you feel is worse by certain movements or by taking a deep breath.
So at this point, I don't think there is any reason to not think this is a normal bronchitis. If you have worsening shortness of breath or fever, you should get a chest x-ray to make sure you don't have a pneumonia.
If you developed any blood in your sputum, this would be more concerning for lung cancer and you should get a chest x-ray, followed by a CT scan of the chest if there was any concern. If in another week your cough is not getting better, I would also talk to your doctor about getting a chest x-ray to make sure everything looks alright, and again, if there was any concern, to follow it up with a CT scan.
I hope that helps, if you have any questions about any of that, please feel free to ask and I'd be glad to answer them.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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