Anxiety and Stress Forum - Pain during cough: flu or more serious?

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Q: Pain during cough: flu or more serious?

asked by: DoctorQuestion on January 31st, 2007

I have had a cold/ I think mild flu (vomited twice) for 7 days. I have been coughing a lot. The last two days I have had a very sharp pain under my left rib area when I cough. I have been taking cold meds and Ibuprofen.

I don't have medical insurance. The pain I'm feeling under my rib I'm concerned about. I have always coughed a lot with a cold but never had this pain along with the cough. Do I need to seek medical attention for this pain or is it caused from excessive coughing?

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on February 5th, 2007

Anxiety & Stress Answer A2276

According to your symptoms (lots of coughing and sharp pain under left rib during a cough) you could be experiencing some muscle pain due to the flu. Two days is not a long enough period for recovery from the flu, so you may continue taking cold medicines and ibuprofen for another 5 days. If there is no improvement or if the condition gets worse, you can then ask for medical attention.

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