why do i keep getting chest infections?
824498
The combinations of being stressed out and smoking are two big risk factors for infections and many illnesses.  Being stressed out lowers the effectiveness of your immune system so that it is easier for you to get an infection.  At the same time, being a smoker makes people more prone to chest infections.  This is because the lungs contain something called cilia, microscopic, finger-like projections in the lungs that help move mucus that contains debris and other things like bacteria that has been inhaled.  When someone smokes, the chemicals in the cigarette basically paralize the cilia so that they cannot move the mucus and bacteria up out of the lungs.  This is why smokers get what is known as smoker's cough.  It is their body trying to get rid of all the nasty stuff that has accumilated in their lungs.  \n\nSo, you have two risk factors against you, the stress and the smoking.  Next comes bronchitis and possibly pneumonia.  After that, your lung cells are at risk of mutating and becoming something between normal cells and cancer cells.  At this stage, you can still stop smoking and your cells can go back to a relitively normal state and your cilia will be active once again. But after lung cells have changed to cancer cells, they cannot be changed back but only distroyed to prevent more cancer cells.  I would very much so recommend you stop smoking.  It may seem in the short run that it is helping you cope with stress, but in the long run it is causing you more by allowing you to get so many chest infections and other problems in the future.  \n\nI know this all seems harsh, but it is the truth.  Better you find out the truth so that you can stop things from happening to you before they do.  I hope everything goes well for you.\n\nAnother thing, taking antibiotics too often can cause the germs in your body that do survive to become resistent to the antibiotics.  This can basically create a super germ that antibiotics can no longer kill, and if that germ multiplies, well then you have a stronger germ that can't be killed by antibiotics.  It also makes you more prone to germs in hospitals.  Some doctor's have been known to give out antibiotics way more than neccisary, so I recommend you to read the article i have provided in the sources below.\n\nEDIT: it seems to me you should go see a phyciatrist.  I know there are certain stresses out there that are unavoidable, but being able to talk to someone and possibly getting on a medication that can help calm you might help out.  And everytime you pick up a cigarette, try to make yourself think of some of the things I have said, mainly that the cigarette is making you more stressed in the long run and that you would be way more stressed out than you are now if you had pnemonia or lung cancer on top of all of that.  Best of wishes to you.
727626
it could be a number of things. i would go to the Dr. and have him check you out. do you smoke? if so and sometimes even if you don't it could be bronchitis. i know when i have bronchitis my cough really smells bad cause of the infection in my lungs, so i would go to the Dr. and let him check you out. or go to http://www.webmd.com/ you might get answers there.
240815
Yes, its a bacterial infection and you need to be treated with antibiotics, the infection can get into your blood stream an make you extremely sick or worse
1187304
There are many reasons for having chest pain.\n\nBUT, if you are having chest pain then you need to go to the hospital and get it check out, because that could be a matter of being alive tomorrow or being on a gurney in the morgue.\n\nDon't put off chest pain as something minor, because it could be a heart problem.  And please don't self diagnose.
989684
Right sided chest/shoulder pain can be caused from your gallbladder and also your appendix.  It's called referred pain.\n\nI am not saying that is what is going on, but it could be an option.  You need to tell someone and see a Dr. for a definitive answer.\n\nFeel better soon.
955458
your body is susceptible to infection.
621152
See a doctor.  There are certain ailments that cause this to happen.
293126
I got that before too, a couple of times already. The moment i had it i thought i'm getting a heart attack but mine always go away after a day. I think i kinda pulled the muscles while sleeping. If your lung still hurts after a day or two i suggest u see a doctor. Take care!
219961
All right, here is the deal.  I don't usually tell people what to do on this forum, but let me warn you, the excessive intergestion in the setting of chest pain is a classic sign of an inferior (meaning lower part of the heart) heart attack.  Now this may just be heartburn as suggested above, but if you are having chest pain with lots of burping right now, you may want to go to the ER just to be safe, or at least call your doctor or a nurse to ask them what to do.
424631
Please see a doctor.  Yes, it could be something besides cardiac problems - and that is very, very likely.  But in some people, especially females, heart attacks don't follow a "traditional" pattern of clutching your chest and dropping to the floor.  Nobody can make a diagnosis online, not even a doctor.  Odds are, it's nothing to get worked up about - but please see a doctor to be sure.
373770
You are describing pleuritic pain, but the differential diagnosis is extensive. Have you had a bad cold or flu recently? You need to see a MD right away for xrays and possibly a course of antibiotics. If you wait too long you could have a developing empyema and you will end up in the ICU with a chest tube and sometimes even on a ventilator.
385657
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the junctions where the upper ribs join with the cartilage that holds them to the breastbone or sternum. The condition causes localized chest pain that you can reproduce by pushing on the cartilage in the front of your ribcage. Costochondritis is a relatively harmless condition and usually goes away without treatment. The cause is usually unknown. Treatment involves conservative local care with careful use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) as needed. Local heat or ice may be helpful to relieve the symptoms. \nAvoid unnecessary exercise or activities that make the symptoms worse. Avoid contact sports until there is improvement in symptoms and then return to normal activities only as tolerated.
599164
it could be post tramatic stress syndrome where you are worried about it happening again and your body goes into a phase where it reacts as if its happening again. the orgasim thing i wouldnt worry to much about. for the last 6mo, i have been having chest pain and if you look at every medical website out there, and i told you the symptoms that accompany my chest pain you would tell me i am having the exact symptoms of a heart attack. i have been to a cardiologist and have had many, many tests done and there is nothing wrong with my heart, lungs or anything in my chest. the very idea that i will have an attack will bring on an attack. you could be experiencing the same thing. the fear that it will happen again makes your body react to the way it reacted when the action took place. i would talk to a family dr about it and see someone about it. usually you can see someone for about 20 mn once a month, just to give them updates and such, and it is very affordable. also, you might try to go to webmd.com and read about home treatment for panic attacks.
392905
Sometimes fluid accumulates between the thin, transparent membrane (pleura) covering your lungs and the membrane that lines the inner surface of your chest wall — a condition known as pleural effusion\n\nNormally, the pleurae are silky smooth, allowing your lungs to slide easily along your chest wall when you breathe in and out. But when the pleurae around your lungs become inflamed (pleurisy) — often as a result of pneumonia — fluid can accumulate and may become infected (empyema). In that case, you may have a tube placed between your ribs to drain the fluid or, occasionally, a surgical procedure to clear out some of the infected material.
1040351
I believe they are caused by body parts that rub up against each other such as your arm rubbing up against your chest. I don't have any website to prove it...Sorry.
978667
I have this, my doctor told me this was normal.  It's just the chest compensating for the space the heart takes up.  You must be very thin, as this was the case with me.  If you put on muscle weight it will even out.  Don't worry about it though, it time it will become less noticable.
120198
Cough, usually bringing up lots of phlegm, fever, chills, pain in your chest when coughing or deep breathing, feeling short of breath, etc. See your doctor.