What Causes Sharp Pain Underneath Breast During Cough?

Posted on Tue, 6 Jan 2015

Question: hi. my daughter is 18 years old and flew home from college today. she's been caught get very badly and complainsred with sharp pain right underneath her left breastfeeding every time she caughs. she says coughing has been going on for about 2 weeks but the pain started today and getting worse. she feels some mucus in her chest. no fever and no other symptoms noted. I gave her mucinex 4 hours ago.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Possible Upper respiratory infection complicated with pleuritis...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am sorry for the situation your daughter is in. From what you are describing, it seems that she is experiencing upper respiratory tract infection complicated with pleuritis.

I advise to consult with her physician and to run chest X-ray to exclude other respiratory infections (e.g. pneumonia, bronchitis, etc.).

For the moment, I advise to:
- continue giving mucinex
- encourage to drink lots of fluids (tea-rosemary and bay leaf tea for coughing; water, soups)
- give OTC anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and ease the pain
- if she is also having runny nose, can use OTC nasal spray

Wish fast recovery!
Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar