What causes cold and rib pain for 4 days?

Question

Hi doctor,

I recently had a cold (I got tested to ensure it was not COVID-19, and the results came back negative) and have been experiencing prolonged symptoms. I have sore ribs, a continued cough, expelling mucus, and numbness. For about four days now, I have had difficulty breathing, pain on my left side under my armpit near the nipple, and I have experienced numbness in my fingertips twice.

I believe the numbness was caused by hyperventilation, resulting from over-breathing due to the other symptoms. In addition, the pain is worse when I use that muscle group, especially when sitting up in bed. I do not take medication other than a rare Albuterol inhaler for asthma and a few herbal teas.

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for writing, and I understand your concern.

Actually, this all can be due to a chest infection, though COVID is negative, but still, there are other infections that can cause such symptoms. So further testing is required. The fingertips are usually numb due to a deficiency of vitamins. Do not worry, it will be fine.

I would suggest that you undergo a CBC (complete blood count), a chest x-ray, and a CRP (C-reactive protein) test. Then please send me reports, and I will check and let you know. Please do the testing and send me the reports. Are you allergic to any antibiotics?

Please answer.

Thank you.