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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Sudden Pain Under Left Rib With Difficulty Breathing, Horrible Body Aches, Dry Cough Symptoms Of Flu ?

Trying to decide if I have common flu or something more. I am a smoker. A few days ago, I had a sudden onset of pain under my left rib and running up to my shoulder. It was difficult to breath other than shallow breaths. it lasted 2 to 3 days also in that time I developed a high fever with horrible body aches . Since then , while the pain in my left side has improved, I still run a low grade fever, dry cough, and body aches with some shaking..
Wed, 29 Jan 2014
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Infectious Diseases Specialist 's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to HCM,
The symptoms are in favor of Respiratory tract infection.
As you are a smoker your symptoms of respiratory tract infection as increased.
If it is a viral infection it will subside by itself in 3 to 4 days with Antipyretics and Analgesics.
Only concern is as you are having pain in the left side of the chest you have to get an ECG for evaluation.
Thank you.
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Are Sudden Pain Under Left Rib With Difficulty Breathing, Horrible Body Aches, Dry Cough Symptoms Of Flu ?

Hello, Welcome to HCM, The symptoms are in favor of Respiratory tract infection. As you are a smoker your symptoms of respiratory tract infection as increased. If it is a viral infection it will subside by itself in 3 to 4 days with Antipyretics and Analgesics. Only concern is as you are having pain in the left side of the chest you have to get an ECG for evaluation. Thank you.