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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chest Pain And Yellow Phlegm With Abscess In The Lung?

I had pneumonia since last year Oct. and had a few courses of antibiotics as well as a short blast of steroids. i ended up in hospital and was diagnosed with an abess in my right lung and pneuonia in April. I was on a double course of antibiotics for 6 weeks The Xrays showed my lungs were clear of pneumonia and they made an appointment for me for a CT scan to see if the absess is gone or not. I am not feeling well again, chest pain in coughed yellow phlegm today. Do I need to ask for a biopsie for lung cancer? I don't smoke.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Fri, 22 Jul 2016 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 22 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
First of all get done CT scan of thorax. CT scan is more informative than chest x ray.
CT scan will tell you if there is still pneumonia or lung abscess present or not.
CT scan will also tell you if lung cancer is there or not.
If CT scan is normal then no need to worry for lung cancer, lung abscess and pneumonia.
Sometimes bronchitis (inflammation of airways) persist even after pneumonia is treated.
Bronchitis can cause phlegm production and chest pain.
So get done PFT (pulmonary function test) first. PFT will not only diagnose bronchitis but it will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only.
You may need inhaled bronchodilator (formoterol or salmeterol) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone).
Don't worry, you will be alright with all these.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
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What Causes Chest Pain And Yellow Phlegm With Abscess In The Lung?

Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. First of all get done CT scan of thorax. CT scan is more informative than chest x ray. CT scan will tell you if there is still pneumonia or lung abscess present or not. CT scan will also tell you if lung cancer is there or not. If CT scan is normal then no need to worry for lung cancer, lung abscess and pneumonia. Sometimes bronchitis (inflammation of airways) persist even after pneumonia is treated. Bronchitis can cause phlegm production and chest pain. So get done PFT (pulmonary function test) first. PFT will not only diagnose bronchitis but it will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only. You may need inhaled bronchodilator (formoterol or salmeterol) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone). Don t worry, you will be alright with all these. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.