The symptom checker reviewed by doctors

Choose a symptom and answer simple questions using our physician-reviewed
symptom checker to find more information on your health issue.

  • Symptom
  • Assessment
  • Results

Is the affected person an infant or child?

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Possible Diagnosis

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Possible Related Symptoms

Chest Pain in Infants and Children

Do you have severe chest pain?

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Possible Diagnosis

If the pain is in the center of your chest and feels like something heavy is sitting on your chest, you may be having a HEART ATTACK or MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION.

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Do you have symptoms of a cold or the flu, such as fever, aches, chills, runny nose, and/or cough?

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Possible Diagnosis

You likely have a viral infection, which includes the FLU.

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Do you have a cough that produces greenish, yellowish, or tan mucus, a fever, and shortness of breath?

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Possible Diagnosis

Your symptoms may be from an infection, such as PNEUMONIA.

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Do you have a cough that produces a small amount of clear mucus, and does your chest hurt when you take a deep breath?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have VIRAL BRONCHITIS. Your pain may also be caused by PLEURISY, an irritation of the lining of the lung that is usually caused by a viral infection. Hard coughing may also cause pain in the muscles and chest wall.

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Are you uncomfortable from your shortness of breath?

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Possible Diagnosis

This may be a HEART ATTACK, MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, or PNEUMONIA.

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Does the pain or discomfort occur only when you swallow or after you eat?

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Possible Diagnosis

Your pain may be from an irritation of the stomach called GASTRITIS or an irritation of the esophagus called ESOPHAGITIS. A HIATAL HERNIA (a weakness in the diaphragm) or esophageal spasms may also cause this type of pain and discomfort. Trouble swallowing food (feeling like food gets stuck) is called DYSPHAGIA and should be evaluated.

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Do you have a severe, sharp pain on one side of your chest when you take a deep breath?

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Possible Diagnosis

Your pain may indicate PNEUMOTHORAX, a condition in which air leaks from a lung and fills the chest cavity. This makes it difficult to breathe.

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Do you experience shortness of breath when you are physically active and/or when you’re lying down?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a serious problem, such as CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, ASTHMA, or PULMONARY EDEMA.

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Do you have pressure in your chest, shortness of breath and numbness around your lips or in your hands or feet?

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Possible Diagnosis

These could be symptoms of HYPERVENTILATION, an episode of overbreathing often caused by stress or anxiety. It can also be caused by increased breathing when your body is not getting enough oxygen and you begin to breathe faster.

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Do you have any of the following symptoms: crushing pain or uncomfortable pressure in the middle of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes; squeezing pain in the chest or left upper arm; sweating and nausea; or severe shortness of breath?

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Possible Diagnosis

Your pain may be from a HEART ATTACK or MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. Similar to men, chest pain is the most common HEART ATTACK symptom in women. However, women are more likely than men to experience the following symptoms (with or without chest pain) when having a heart attack: abdominal pain, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, back or jaw pain, and unexplained fatigue.

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Do you have a painful, blistering rash on your chest or back?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a viral infection of the nerves and skin called SHINGLES, caused by the varicella zoster virus. This can often occur even if you have received the SHINGLES vaccine.

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Do you have back pain that radiates around to the front of your chest?

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Possible Diagnosis

Your pain may be from a compressed nerve, possibly from a COMPRESSION FRACTURE, RIB FRACTURE, or a condition known as COSTOCHONDRITIS.

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Self Care

Go to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance right away.

Self Care

If it is within 48-72 hours from the beginning of symptoms, there are medications that your doctor can prescribe if you test positive for, or they suspect the FLU. If it is outside the 48-72-hour window or it is not the flu, then symptomatic treatment (treating cough, headache, sinus congestion, sore throat, etc. can be accomplished with an over-the-counter cough and cold medication). Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. Call your doctor if you have a high fever (greater than 101.5°F) or your symptoms persist for more than 5 days.

Self Care

PNEUMONIA can be a serious health problem. See your doctor right away or go to the closest emergency room if you are having trouble breathing.

Self Care

Drink plenty of water, and try cough and cold medicines and/or anti-inflammatory medicines to relieve your symptoms. See your doctor if the cough continues for more than a few days or if you develop a fever.

Self Care

Go to the closest emergency room or call an ambulance right away.

Self Care

Try taking an antacid, eat smaller, more frequent, and less spicy meals. See your doctor if the problem persists or if you have DYSPHAGIA.

Self Care

See your doctor right away or go to the closest emergency room. Treatment of PNEUMOTHORAX may require hospitalization.

Self Care

See your doctor right away.

Self Care

If you have a heart condition, lung condition, ASTHMA, or if you are experiencing rapid breathing for the first time, go directly to the emergency room.

If you have hyperventilated before due to stress or anxiety, your doctor may have given you information about treating yourself. Lie down, relax, and try to slow your breathing. Try breathing through pursed lips (as if you were whistling), or cover your mouth and one nostril, and breathe through the other nostril. Talk with your doctor about relaxation treatments, to include mindfulness and meditation.

Self Care

Call an ambulance right away or have someone drive you to the closest emergency room.

Self Care

See your doctor. SHINGLES usually clears on its own, but medication may ease the pain and help prevent complications, such as chronic pain at the site.

Self Care

See your doctor. You can take anti-inflammatory medications for COSTOCHONDRITIS.

For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think your problem is serious, call right away.

DISCLAIMER

Symptom Checker content is provided for informational purposes only. This tool may leverage certain generative artificial intelligence tools to generate results, but you should not rely on this tool as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health or the information provided when you use this tool, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have read using this tool or on the FamilyDoctor.org website. Use this content solely at your own risk. If you think you may have a medical emergency, dial 911.