Chest heaviness, overall fogginess/dizziness, ear problem

[mgem]

My daugh'tter has been complaining of a very tight chest accompanied by dizzieness and pain in the ears.  She is also very tired and can't seem to get better.  We visited the er and she had blood work, x-ray, ekg all were normal.  What do these symptons suggest and how should I proceed?

[National Jewish]

This is most likely pleurodynia, which is an infection of the chest caused by a Coxsackie virus.  The virus causes inflammation of the sac that holds the heart.  This infection usually lasts for a week, but it can last longer than 3 weeks.  It may seem to have gone away, only to return.  Usually if it returns, it is for a shorter period of time.  Although this would cause chest pain usually there is also fever.  When the chest pain is severe it is called the devil’s grip.  Since this is a viral infection, antibiotics would not help.  This viral infection could cause your daughter’s tiredness, dizziness, and pain in her ears.  To be sure your daughter will need to be carefully followed by her own doctor.  If your daughter’s doctor has not seen her since her ER visit, she should be seen soon.