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What Causes Left Flank Pain While Recovering From Flu?
Question: MY HUSBAND CAME DOWN WITH THE FLU A MONTH AGO AND WAS DIAGNOSIED WITH PNEUMONIA AND GIVEN ANTIBIOTICS. HIS SYMPTOMS HAVEN'T IMPROVED. HE NOW HAS LEFT FLANK PAIN. WENT BACK TO OUR DOCTOR WHO DID A CHEST XRAY, BLOOD SAMPLE, URINE SAMPLE AND ULTRA SOUND. SHE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING AND ADVISED IF IT DOESN'T CLEAR IN TWO WEEKS TO RETURN. THE PAIN ON HIS LEFT FLANK IS NOT IMPROVING AND HE HAD DRY HEAVES THIS MORNING. WHAT SHOULD HE DO?
Brief Answer:
Please give me more details
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
"the flu" cannot last for more than a couple of week. The clear X-ray means that his pneumonia was treated properly and it has resolved, so this should not be a concern now. Left flank pain refers to the kidney but a negative ultrasound scan and urinalysis excludes renal infection.
Does he feel pain with his respiratory movements (when taking deep breaths)? If this is the case then other potential problems have to be investigated as well. Pleuritic pain (that follows the respiratory movements) with cough can be attributed to serious causes like pulmonary embolism. The chest X-ray would be clear in such a case but the d-dimers test would be high. The oxygen level may be low or normal depending on the extent of the disease. If this is negative then taking mild painkillers like paracetamol (acetaminophen) and giving it some time to heal, would probably help.
Sometimes pneumonia may be severe enough to cause scarring in the lung and the symptom resolution may be delayed. The cough can be protracted even after complete resolution of the pneumonia itself (up to two months).
I hope I've helped!
Contact me again, if you'd like to provide more data, or if you'd like to ask more questions about his problem.
Kind Regards!
Please give me more details
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
"the flu" cannot last for more than a couple of week. The clear X-ray means that his pneumonia was treated properly and it has resolved, so this should not be a concern now. Left flank pain refers to the kidney but a negative ultrasound scan and urinalysis excludes renal infection.
Does he feel pain with his respiratory movements (when taking deep breaths)? If this is the case then other potential problems have to be investigated as well. Pleuritic pain (that follows the respiratory movements) with cough can be attributed to serious causes like pulmonary embolism. The chest X-ray would be clear in such a case but the d-dimers test would be high. The oxygen level may be low or normal depending on the extent of the disease. If this is negative then taking mild painkillers like paracetamol (acetaminophen) and giving it some time to heal, would probably help.
Sometimes pneumonia may be severe enough to cause scarring in the lung and the symptom resolution may be delayed. The cough can be protracted even after complete resolution of the pneumonia itself (up to two months).
I hope I've helped!
Contact me again, if you'd like to provide more data, or if you'd like to ask more questions about his problem.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
He should see a doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
since the cause of his pain has not been determined and the intensity is high, investigation is needed. The pulmonary embolism (low risk but can't be excluded) is a medical emergency and has to be excluded as soon as possible. The clear X-ray rules out most of the serious diagnoses.
Regarding his migraine, I don't see the connection with the rest of the history. Did he have similar episodes of migraine in the past? If he did then this is not so worrisome. If this is the first episode then this is another reason for an urgent medical assessment.
Kind Regards!
He should see a doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
since the cause of his pain has not been determined and the intensity is high, investigation is needed. The pulmonary embolism (low risk but can't be excluded) is a medical emergency and has to be excluded as soon as possible. The clear X-ray rules out most of the serious diagnoses.
Regarding his migraine, I don't see the connection with the rest of the history. Did he have similar episodes of migraine in the past? If he did then this is not so worrisome. If this is the first episode then this is another reason for an urgent medical assessment.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
He has had several episodes of migraines. He has contacted our University Hospital to get an appointment. He was seen by them three years ago when he underwent radiation treatment for prostate cancer.
Brief Answer:
He still needs an assessment for the pain
Detailed Answer:
thanks for the information!
Since he's had several episodes of migraine, this is not something to worry about. He still needs an assessment for the cause of flank pain though, so I would suggest visiting a doctor for clinical examination and perhaps lab testing.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
He still needs an assessment for the pain
Detailed Answer:
thanks for the information!
Since he's had several episodes of migraine, this is not something to worry about. He still needs an assessment for the cause of flank pain though, so I would suggest visiting a doctor for clinical examination and perhaps lab testing.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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