HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Pain On Left Side Of Body Post Pneumonia Treatment?

default
Posted on Wed, 3 Dec 2014
Question: Hello, my name is XXXXXXX and I am 28 years old. I recently had pneumonia and found out it was caused by staph. The infection was only in my left lung and it was bout half full of mucus. They gave me an IV treatment for 7 days and oral medicine for 10 days with 2 inhalers. The last x-ray showed the infection was almost all cleared up. I finished up the medication this last Wednesday and feel much better, but in the evenings I have side and back ache on my left side only. Is this something to be concerned about or could I just still be healing?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Little concerning...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.

The lungs and the visceral pleura are devoid of pain fibers. Parietal pleura, chest wall ,central air-ways and mediastinal structures have pain fibers and may be the source of respiratory pain.

Staphylococcal pneumonia can give rise to pneumothorax (may be small in your case at present) due to rupture of pneumatocoele (thin walled cysts) not an uncommon complication, though rare at the stage of near resolution. The chest pain that you describe in the context of recent infection is little concerning to me. I will recommend you undergo a chest X-ray (repeat) at the earliest to clear my suspicion.

Visit your doctor and discuss about it.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1975

Answered : 1920 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Pulmonologist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
What Causes Pain On Left Side Of Body Post Pneumonia Treatment?

Brief Answer: Little concerning... Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns. The lungs and the visceral pleura are devoid of pain fibers. Parietal pleura, chest wall ,central air-ways and mediastinal structures have pain fibers and may be the source of respiratory pain. Staphylococcal pneumonia can give rise to pneumothorax (may be small in your case at present) due to rupture of pneumatocoele (thin walled cysts) not an uncommon complication, though rare at the stage of near resolution. The chest pain that you describe in the context of recent infection is little concerning to me. I will recommend you undergo a chest X-ray (repeat) at the earliest to clear my suspicion. Visit your doctor and discuss about it. Regards Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX