bronchitis in the airways???

My husband was diagnosed with bronchitis in the airways on Sunday. Today he's worse. He's coughing harder, severe chest pain, feverish, and the part that scares me is that he has this sharp, stabbing pain in the middle of his lower back, he say's it feels like his kidneys but we are not sure. He's seen 3 different Docs since this started about 3 and a half weeks ago, and none of them has done a chest X Ray. I read some where that when it goes into the airways; it's going into pneumonia. Is this true? And if so; why won't these doctors do a chest X Ray?  He does smoke but has cut down. He also cuts concrete, but it's wet when he cuts it. They say that it's ok since it's wet when cut but I don't believe it, it's still get in his mouth and nose, and he breathes it in. Any one....Please help. I can't sleep cause I'm so worried about him, it's not like him to be so sick.
Thanks,
Jen

[JM100]

I went to an emergency room, major city in Texas.  I self-diagnosed as pneumonia; first thing they did was chest X Ray.  I would insist on a chest X Ray.  
I think the stabbing pain MAY be due to the severeness of the cough.  I read it can bruise ribs and in rare cases break them.  Phys assistant seemed to dismiss the pain.
An aide at the hospital mentioned that fumes & particles from "cement plants" in this area seem to irritate non-natives much more than natives....
However, my diagnosis was acute bronchitis; maybe your husband has CHRONIC bronchitis due to his job...this type of bronchitis never goes away.
I was taken care of well and prescribed:
steroid for non - inflammatory and to revive immune system
azithromycin antibiotic to eliminate bacteria possibly causing bronchitis
prescription cough syrup to STOP the coughing which causes the severe chest pain
inhaler for symptoms similar to asthma

GOOD LUCK

[kaysav05]

Thanks, I couldn't stand it no more so I took him to the doc, and I had them give him a x ray. Guess what...He does have pneumonia. Thanks for the reply though.