What causes shortness of breath along with pain in the chest and back?
Patient: my wife was in the hospital last week for 7 days with a bowel infection i think they called it C-Diff and she had pneumonia in her right lung ..when she was released last friday she said she felt better and was sent home with 2 different antibiotics and pain meds .. but in the last 2 days she having severe shortness of breath and tighting in her chest and back to the point that she cant even complete a sentence without running out of breath ...as well as the pain in her chest and back is increasing .. Doctor: Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.  In my opinion, you should immediately take her to hospital to rule out worsening of pneumonia and bronchitis. She needs urgent chest X-ray, CT thorax and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). If chest X-ray and CT scan are suggestive of worsening pneumonia then she will need higher antibiotics and Intravenous fluids. If PFT is showing obstructive defect then she will need inhaled bronchodilators (Formoterol or Salmeterol) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (Budesonide or Fluticasone). Don't worry, she will be alright with all these.   Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your wife. Thanks.