There may be many atypical manifestations of chest pain as well as overlap of symptoms when more than one condition is present. Chest pain should be investigated if it is severe enough to limit your activities or to cause apprehension and worry. These are symptoms usually found in patients with infection of the upper respiratory system. From a practical standpoint respiratory infections can be divided into those predominantly affecting either the upper respiratory or lower respiratory tract. Lower tract infections may also be viral in origin but are commonly caused by bacteria and therefore amenable to antibiotic treatment.
Physicians usually have no trouble recognizing patients in respiratory distress.
This is because certain signs point to difficult breathing, although they may not reveal the specific cause. Patients with severe asthma or bronchitis may breathe so nosily they can be heard from across the room. Of course with a stethoscope physicians can hear many abnormal breath sounds not otherwise audible. Some patients may have fluid in both places. Congestive is a good term, because that is just what the lungs become congested, or backed up with fluid.