Do I have pneumonia? - Lung & Respiratory Disorders / COPD Message Board

msdj · 02-12-2004, 09:32 PM

I have had a nasty cough since new years eve. It started as a cold and got worse. I had shaking chills and a fever of 102.7 (went to work anyway). At one point I could not breath at all. Sort of sounded like someone with an asthma attack. It almost happened again, but I think I learned how to control it. I cough up greenish mucas. My fever is gone, but I am still coughing terribly so much that I gag myself. My ribs hurt under my arm around to my mid back. I sometimes have to sleep propped up so I don't cough so much. I don't just cough at night, it's all day. Sometimes my chest feels tight. My husband is raising heck with me for not going to the Dr. I would have to take my 13 month old baby with me. What kind of exam could I get then?
I don't have asthma. Two years ago I had some sort of bronchitis.
If anyone has a clue as to what this is I would appreciate it. Thanks

butterflytrans · 02-12-2004, 11:12 PM

It could be either bronchitis or pneumonia. First you need to have your chest listened to with a stethoscope. Secondly, you'll need a chest x-ray. Pneumonia is a radiological diagnosis in most cases. Judging from the fact that you have a young baby, I'm guessing that you're fairly young too. The chances of you having a bad pneumonia is not that high, BUT, you could still have a small one which is causing you all this grief. Additionally, the fact that you had a fever is also highly suggestive that you might have been infected with something. Get examined!