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

question-icon

What Causes Cough Causing Chest, Back And Rib Pain?

default
Posted on Sat, 24 May 2014
Question: i have been coughing constantly for 5 months, to the point i am about to be sick and sometimes am. my chest, back and ribs are aching due to the cough. i quite often feel nauseous
i have been having night sweats quite often, go to sleep cold and wake up in the middle of the night covered in sweat...

i have been treated for a chest infection and hooping cough, but the symptoms keep coming back... i am worried it is something more serious...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Priyanka (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Fever with night sweats.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam,

Greetings,

I can understand the gravity of your disease condition, and problem you are facing since last 5 months, my sympathy is with you.

After going through your history I am of the opinion that you are having problem with your respiratory system which is causing cough, fever, drenching night sweats, body pain, pain in ribs, nausea, etc. As per your clinical condition there are a list of disease in respiratory system which can cause these symptoms. They are as follows.......
1. Pulmonary Tuberculosis (more common in travelers to endemic areas)
2. Lymphoma,
3. Sarcoidosis,
4. Lower respiratory tract infection,
5. Some mixed infections...etc

Since the detailed history, investigation and clinical examination status is not known to me, I am in the opinion that you require some relevant tests like sputum microscopy, chest x ray, blood tests to rule out the above mentioned conditions and arrive at a diagnosis. Then only the exact treatment can be started.

Hence I request you to go to a hospital near by you and get the tests and investigation done.

I also request you to keep me updating about your test reports so that I can further guide you better.

Please feel free to write me back again if you further require any clarification on any aspect of your disease condition.

Expecting to hear back again from you,

Hope I am able to clear the disease condition of yours.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and good health,

Regards,

Thanks.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Priyanka (58 minutes later)
thanks, i will look into getting tests done.

i have been treated for a chest infection and hooping cough. both of thes were treated with antibiotics, the antibiotics temperarily relived the symtops but after the rounds were finished the symptoms would progress back, gradually getting worse again..
i wwas also testeed for low iron and it came back positive, i have increased my red meat intake and am on a natural iron supliment.
i have also been told that my immune system is down...

it all just gets confussing so many things seem to be going wrong and no confirmed diagnosis or treatment that works.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Priyanka (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Fever with night sweats contd.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam XXXXX,

Welcome back, nice to see you again.

As per the history told by you again it seems that proper investigation and treatment has not being done.Because if your diagnosis have would been done exactly then disease would have not come back again, there is incomplete investigation done by your treating doctor..

There is no evidence investigation wise saying that your immune system is weak. I can agree that Iron may be low, and for that you are already on iron supplementation, and red meat.etc.

Its OK for low Iron part,but the main problem you are facing is of chest infection that is not getting investigated and diagnosed properly..

So in my opinion you should concentrate on chest infection part get it diagnosed by proper blood investigation and chest x ray, may be CT scan chest or biopsy, is also required, depends on your treating Doctor and clinical examination.

So my sincere advise is to go to a good hospital or good doctor preferably pulmonologist (chest specialist) for further investigation and diagnosis into the disease matter of chest infection.

Hope I am able to clear the disease condition of yours in detail, if still you have any further query please don't hesitate to write me back.

Expecting to hear back again from you,

Wishing you a speedy recovery and good health,

Regards,

Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Priyanka

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 717 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

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
What Causes Cough Causing Chest, Back And Rib Pain?

Brief Answer: Fever with night sweats. Detailed Answer: Hello Mam, Greetings, I can understand the gravity of your disease condition, and problem you are facing since last 5 months, my sympathy is with you. After going through your history I am of the opinion that you are having problem with your respiratory system which is causing cough, fever, drenching night sweats, body pain, pain in ribs, nausea, etc. As per your clinical condition there are a list of disease in respiratory system which can cause these symptoms. They are as follows....... 1. Pulmonary Tuberculosis (more common in travelers to endemic areas) 2. Lymphoma, 3. Sarcoidosis, 4. Lower respiratory tract infection, 5. Some mixed infections...etc Since the detailed history, investigation and clinical examination status is not known to me, I am in the opinion that you require some relevant tests like sputum microscopy, chest x ray, blood tests to rule out the above mentioned conditions and arrive at a diagnosis. Then only the exact treatment can be started. Hence I request you to go to a hospital near by you and get the tests and investigation done. I also request you to keep me updating about your test reports so that I can further guide you better. Please feel free to write me back again if you further require any clarification on any aspect of your disease condition. Expecting to hear back again from you, Hope I am able to clear the disease condition of yours. Wishing you a speedy recovery and good health, Regards, Thanks.