chronic clear congestion/chest pain

I have had a clear congestion for about 1 week that has seemed to move to my chest.  It is causing pain in my chest.  The congestion is a lot, but it is cler.  What could the problem be?  Could it be a form of pneumonia?...or what?  Scott

[National Jewish]

You will need to see a doctor to find out the nature of the problem that is causing your clear congestion to continue.  To know for sure if this is due to pneumonia you will need to have chest x-ray done.  This is the best test for finding pneumonia.

Your clear congestion could also be due to postnasal drip.  This is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat.  This can irritate the throat and the lungs.  It can also cause chest congestion.