Expert: Samantha Mattingly - 3/3/2008

Question
It has been about three days now that I have had these horrible chest pains. I just got over strep tonsillitus and I still have a cough. The first day I felt these pains I only had them when I would cough. Later on it started getting worse and I couldnt even laugh. And the next day I felt the pain everytime I would breathe. I'm not sure if this is something serious or not and I'm not sure if I should go to the hospital or not. I just don't see anything getting any better and it's hard when i need to cough but I can't because it hurts so badly. What do you think?

Thanks

Answer
Dear Danielle,

I think you should visit the hospital as there might be something major going opn inside of you.  It sounds a bit like Bronchitis, but you probably are having heartburn, or have acid reflux disease, which is caused from acid in your stomich.  It won't kill you, but only a doctor can tell for sure what it is.  They will also prescribe medication for you to help prevent and treat it.