Thanks for your question, I am Dr Asanghanwa Carlson. There are many causes of chest pains associated with a cough and blood stained sputum amongst which are infections like pulmonary abscess, severe pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis and other non infectious causes like, ruptured pulmonary bullae, pulmonary tumours and cancers, and porfession associated diseases. For optimal diagnosis and management of each of these conditions, the right diagnosis has to be arrived at. In your son's case, I advise you consult a pnuemologist who would examine him and prescribe the right test to be done in relation to his complaints. A normal chest X ray does not however eliminate a severe underlying thoracic condition. Key words Pneumologist consultation. Good Luck

HI
Thanks for posting your query to Healthcaremagic.

His symptoms are suggestive of Pneumonia ( Infection of the Lung ). Though most of the time Pneumonia can be diagnosed with X ray but sometimes if the X ray is done in the initial stages of Pneumonia it may come normal . In such cases CT chest has to be done .

My advise is to get CT Chest done . Also ask your ER doctors to start Antibiotics Empirically .

Any clarifications or Queries feel free to ask.
Happy to help you.
Regards.

Hi. I am Dr Mittal. I have read your query.I think I will be able to help you find the answer to your problem.

I think the best way to get the diagnosis would be to get to a chest physician. I also think that you can get a ct scan chest done. It seems to me that the pulmonary physician will be asking for the same.

There are a host of possible causes. This will include infection like TBA to fungal infections, to more serious conditions like malignancy ( latter is unlikely keeping in view the age.

Getting a sputum test is nevertheless a good idea.

I hope this helps. I am sorry to be able to get you so limited information. But th possible diagnosis are so many that without a more detailed information and examination, more accurate information is difficult to provide.

Best of luck. Dr Mittal.