Can Pneumonia Cause Neck Pain

Acute Pain Under The Left Shoulder Blade

It may signal an attack of angina pectoris, which starts from the chest zone and manifests itself in spilling pains reflected in the left side. The pain in angina pectoris is characterized as sharp, squeezing, compressive, the symptom may subside at rest and after taking certain drugs validol, nitroglycerin, other drugs that activate the coronary blood supply. In addition, acute pain under the left shoulder blade can be caused by left-sided protrusion of the intervertebral disk, the symptom is aggravated by movement, change of body position, that is, when the position of the spine or ribs changes. The most dangerous is severe, acute pain in this zone, caused by perforation of the cardial region of the stomach during peptic ulcer disease. This condition is accompanied by a drop in blood pressure, pulse , and perspiration. The pain is so acute that it is called dagger, most often it begins in the epigastric zone and gives to the left or right, depending on where the perforation occurs. Also for a YABZH in an aggravation stage the typical pose of the patient is characteristic the drawn-in legs, the hands covering a stomach. Irradiation to the left, under the scapula, is characteristic of atypical perforation, when the ulcerative process is localized in the posterior part of the duodenal wall or in the cardiac zone of the stomach.

The Link Between Shoulder Pain And Lung Cancer

People who get shoulder pain may worry about it being caused by lung cancer. While this is possible, its much more likely that your shoulder pain is caused by something like an injury, tendonitis, or arthritis. Your doctor can help you determine the cause of your pain.

Shoulder pain can be a symptom of lung cancer from early through late stages of the disease.

Read on to learn about the types of lung cancer that can cause shoulder pain.

Dont Miss: How Treat Pneumonia In Elderly

Where Do You Feel Lung Pain

painlungpainchestsymptomschest

• Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus.
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills.
• Shortness of breath.
• Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough.
• Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue.
• Nausea and vomiting, especially in small children.

Recommended Reading: What Pneumonia Shot Should Seniors Get

Cool It Can Pneumonia Cause Lower Back Pain

Ice is best in the first 24 to two days after an injury since it minimizes swelling. Although the heat feels great since it helps conceal the pain and it does assist loosen up the muscles, the warm in fact irritates the inflammatory procedures. After two days, you can switch to warmth if you prefer. Whether you use heat or ice take it off after around 20 mins to offer your skin a remainder. If pain persists, talk with a doctor.

What Is Viral Pneumonia

Viruses are responsible for about one-third of all pneumonias, and they’re the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than age 5.

Viral pneumonias tend to clear up in about one to three weeks, but they can increase your risk for bacterial pneumonia.

Viral pneumonia is usually less serious than bacterial pneumonia.

At first, the symptoms of viral pneumonia may be similar to symptoms often associated with the flu, except you may experience a dry cough that does not produce phlegm. You may also develop a fever and headache.

But within a couple of days, these symptoms typically get worse.

Adults with viral pneumonia can also expect to develop:

• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle pain

The flu virus is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in adults, which tends to be more serious in people with heart or lung disease, senior citizens, and pregnant women.

Not only can influenza cause pneumonia, it can also predispose people to bacterial pneumonia yet another good reason to get the yearly flu shot.

Respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia is usually a mild infection that clears up in about a week or two. It can be more severe and is more common in young children and older adults. In fact, RSV is the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 12 months.

Recommended Reading: Home Remedies To Treat Pneumonia

When Do You Need To Be Concerned About Back Pain While Recovering From Pneumonia

Back pain may be common with pneumonia, but not all back pain is normal or expected. Back pain may suggest new complications or problems that may need urgent medical attention.

Here are a few things you need to look out for:

The main complications you need to worry about with a new or worsening back pain while recovering from pneumonia are:

In conclusion, back pain while coughing or taking a deep breath is a common symptom from pneumonia. It is important to control the pain so that you can keep coughing regularly and keep taking deep breaths to avoid complications.

References:

What Causes Upper Back And Chest Pain

When upper back and chest pain occur together, the symptoms can vary widely depending on the cause or severity. Some people may experience mild discomfort or tightness while others may have sharp or intense pain. This pain may be one-sided or on both sides. Below are potential causes of upper back and chest pain appearing at the same time.

Read Also: Does The Pneumonia Vaccine Protect Against Viral Pneumonia

Treatment For Shoulder Pain From Lung Cancer

If your doctor thinks lung cancer may be causing your shoulder pain, they will begin the screening process by ordering imaging tests.

Theyll use a screening procedure such as a CT scan or a positron emission tomography scan to get an internal image of your lungs. This gives a clearer picture of any potentially cancerous growths.

If they still suspect lung cancer following your screening, they may ask to take a small piece of tissue from the lungs to examine it closely for cancer cells. This is called a biopsy.

Doctors can perform lung biopsies in two different ways. They may pass a needle through the skin to your lungs and remove a small amount of tissue. This is called a needle biopsy.

Alternatively, your doctor may use bronchoscopy to perform the biopsy. In this case, your doctor inserts a small tube with an attached light through your nose or mouth and into your lungs to remove a small tissue sample.

If they find cancer cells, your doctor may conduct a genetic test. This can help determine what type of lung cancer you have and possibly identify underlying causes, such as genetic mutations.

If you have lung cancer, your doctor may use a variety of treatments based on your specific circumstances, including:

• surgery
• targeted drugs
• immunotherapy

Doctors will often use more than one method to treat lung cancer. For example, they might prescribe chemotherapy or radiation to shrink a tumor before surgery.

What Is A Lower Respiratory Infection

A lower respiratory infection affects the airways and lungs. In general, lower respiratory infections last longer and are more serious. These infections include:

• Bronchitis, a lung infection that causes coughing and fever.
• Bronchiolitis, a lung infection that mostly affects young children.
• Chest infection.
• Pneumonia.

Also Check: How Much Is A Pneumonia Shot At Walmart

Is Your Chest Pain A Sign Of A Heart Attack Or Something Else

Heart Health, Medical Tips

Chest pain is frightening and must be taken seriously. So know this: If you are having severe discomfort in the chestespecially if the chest pain is radiating to your neck, jaw or armsand its accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness and sweating, call 911 immediately. Some people may not have chest pain at all during a heart attack, but they may have the other symptoms listed. In that case, its still best to call 911.

But sometimes chest pain isnt a heart attack. It might have a different cardiac cause or be totally unrelated to your heart. Here are three clues that its not a heart attack:

If you are experiencing chest pain like this, call your doctor to make an appointment.

Chest pain that isnt a heart attack can be heart-related or not .

Read Also: How Often Should Seniors Get Pneumonia Shots

What Are The Complications

• Pneumonia: Many people in the U.S. who get pneumococcal pneumonia need to be cared for in the hospital. About 5 to 7% of people with this type of pneumonia will die. The elderly have a higher risk of death.
• Blood infections: As many as 20% of people who get a blood infection from this disease die. The death rate may be as high as 60% for the elderly.
• Bacterial meningitis: Pneumococcal meningitis infections cause more than 50% of all bacterial meningitis cases in the U.S. About 8% of children and 22% of adults with pneumococcal meningitis will die.
• Middle ear infections. This is the most common reason for visits to a pediatrician in the U.S. Complications of these ear infections can lead to meningitis. It can also cause infection in a bone behind the ear.

You May Like: Is Pneumonia Contagious In Humans

Should I Worry About An Upper Respiratory Infection

Most of the time, these infections go away on their own. Youll likely make a full recovery. However, some higher-risk groups should take extra precautions when it comes to upper respiratory infections. These infections can be more dangerous for:

• Children, especially babies.
• Older adults.
• People with immune system disorders.

If you are in a high-risk group and get a cold or other respiratory infection, contact your healthcare provider.

How Is Pneumonia Treated

If doctors think a person has pneumonia, they will do a physical exam and might order a chest X-ray and blood tests. People with bacterial or atypical pneumonia will probably be given antibiotics to take at home. The doctor also will recommend getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids.

Some people with pneumonia need to be hospitalized to get better usually babies, young kids, and people older than 65. However, hospital care may be needed for a teen who:

• already has immune system problems
• is dangerously dehydrated or is vomiting a lot and can’t keep fluids and medicine down
• has had pneumonia many times
• has skin that’s blue or pale, which is a sign that the lungs are not getting enough oxygen.

When pneumonia patients are hospitalized, treatment might include intravenous antibiotics and respiratory therapy . In more severe cases, people might need to go to the intensive care unit .

You May Like: Which Pneumonia Vaccine Comes First

What Are The Symptoms Acute Bronchitis

The following are the most common symptoms of acute bronchitis. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Back and muscle pain
• Watery eyes
• Wheezing

The symptoms of acute bronchitis may look like other conditions or medical problems. Talk with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Does Pneumovax 23 Cause Side Effects

Pneumovax 23 is an immunization used to prevent pneumonia. This pneumococcal vaccine contains chemicals extracted from 23 types of Streptococcuspneumonia bacteria.

Upon injecting pneumococcal vaccine, the body recognizes these chemical as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy the chemicals. Antibodies are blood protein that help the body fight infection and destroy other harmful substances.

Once produced, these antibodies destroy injected Streptococcuspneumonia chemicals but the antibodies remain active in the body and can detect the same chemicals from live Streptococcus pneumonia in the future. If a vaccinated person comes in contact with Streptococcus pneumonia the antibodies will destroy the bacteria and prevent pneumonia or reduce its severity.

Pneumovax 23 should not be confused with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine used in special conditions because often in the medical literature the non-specific term “pneumococcal vaccine” is used.

Common side effects of Pneumovax 23 include

• injection site reactions ,
• weakness.

Serious side effects of Pneumovax 23 include severe allergic reactions.

Drug interactions of Pneumovax 23 include zoster vaccine live administered at the same time. When they are given concurrently, Pneumovax 23 reduces the response of zoster vaccine compared to those who received both vaccines 4 weeks apart.

Also Check: Getting Pneumonia In The Hospital

What Health Complications Can Pneumonia Lead To

If you have flu-like symptoms that persist or worsen despite treatment, talk to your doctor.

Your doctor can monitor your lungs while you inhale, listening for crackling sounds that are audible only with a stethoscope.

In order to confirm the diagnosis and identify the specific germ causing the illness, you may get a chest X-ray as well as a blood test, depending on your medical history and physical exam, if your doctor suspects that you have pneumonia.

If left untreated, pneumonia can become severe.

People with severe pneumonia experience higher fevers along with GI symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as:

• Difficulty breathing

Can Shoulder Pain Be A Sign Of Lung Cancer

Yes, it can. Someone with lung cancer may notice pain or weakness in the shoulder . Shoulder pain may occur if a lung tumor exerts pressure on a nearby nerve or if lung cancer spreads to the bones in or around the shoulder. Its important to note, however, that shoulder pain could also result from a condition completely unrelated to cancer, such as arthritis.

If shoulder pain occurs when resting, worsens at night or doesnt involve any loss of motion, it may indicate lung cancer. Other lung cancer signs include:

• A chronic, hacking cough
• A harsh vibrating sound while breathing
• Hoarseness
• Recurrent respiratory infections like pneumonia or bronchitis
• Fever
• Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
• Swelling in the face and neck
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent chest pain unrelated to coughing

Don’t Miss: How Serious Is Septic Pneumonia

How Can I Prevent Pneumonia

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination for:

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination for:

If you have been experiencing pneumonia symptoms, make an appointmentwith your provider today. Prompt treatment of pneumonia isimportant for recovery. Requestan appointment with a family medicine provider to receive your flu andpneumococcal vaccinations.

What Is The Best Way To Prevent Pneumococcal Disease

The single best way to prevent this disease is to be vaccinated.

• Children should be vaccinated with a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months. They also need another shot, or booster, at 12 to 15 months of age.
• Adults 65 years and older should be vaccinated with the PCV13 vaccine and a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine .
• Adults who are 19 to 64 years of age with certain health risks should be vaccinated. These risks include: diabetes, smoking, alcoholism, asthma, chronic heart, liver, lung or kidney disease, sickle cell disease, a spleen that doesn’t work, cancer or other diseases that affect the immune system. Talk to your doctor about which pneumococcal vaccines are right for you.

Recommended Reading: How Long Is The Pneumonia Vaccine Last

When To Contact A Medical Professional

• You have sudden crushing, squeezing, tightening, or pressure in your chest.
• Pain spreads to your jaw, left arm, or between your shoulder blades.
• You have nausea, dizziness, sweating, a racing heart, or shortness of breath.
• You know you have angina and your chest discomfort is suddenly more intense, brought on by lighter activity, or lasts longer than usual.
• Your angina symptoms occur while you are at rest.
• You have sudden, sharp chest pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long trip, a stretch of bedrest , or other lack of movement, especially if one leg is swollen or more swollen than the other .
• You have been diagnosed with a serious condition, such as heart attack or pulmonary embolism.

Your risk of having a heart attack is greater if:

• You have a family history of heart disease.
• You smoke, use cocaine, or are overweight.
• You have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
• You already have heart disease.

Dont Miss: Does The Flu Cause Pneumonia