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The Daily Insight

Does Covid make your lungs hurt when you cough?

Author

Emily Wong

Updated on February 19, 2026

Does Covid make your lungs hurt when you cough?

Your lungs and airways swell and become inflamed. This can start in one part of your lung and spread. About 80% of people who have COVID-19 get mild to moderate symptoms. You may have a dry cough or a sore throat.

What does it mean when your lungs hurt when you cough?

Pleuritis. Also known as pleurisy, this is an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the lungs and chest. You likely feel a sharp pain when you breathe, cough, or sneeze. The most common causes of pleuritic chest pain are bacterial or viral infections, pulmonary embolism, and pneumothorax.

How do you know if a cough is serious?

See a doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms accompanying a cough because it may be serious:

  1. Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath.
  2. Shallow, rapid breathing.
  3. Wheezing.
  4. Chest pain.
  5. Fever.
  6. Coughing up blood or yellow or green phlegm.
  7. Coughing so hard you vomit.
  8. Unexplained weight loss.

What helps sore lungs from coughing?

You can start with these basic steps:

  1. Drink lots of fluids, especially water. Try eight to 12 glasses a day to help thin out that mucus and make it easier to cough up.
  2. Get plenty of rest.
  3. Use over-the-counter pain relievers with ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin to help with pain.

Should I be worried if my chest hurts when I cough?

It is not usually a cause for concern unless it is persistent or severe. In many cases, the pain goes away on its own as the infection clears. However, chest pain can sometimes signal a serious chest infection, such as pneumonia, so it is important to see a doctor for chest pain when coughing.

How do you get rid of lung pain?

Resting and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help if the cause is related to muscles around the lung. These medications include acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Treatments for other possible causes of left lung pain can vary.

Is coughing Part of pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames your lungs’ air sacs (alveoli). The air sacs may fill up with fluid or pus, causing symptoms such as a cough, fever, chills and trouble breathing.

Can you get a cough after Covid?

Some infections can leave you with a dry cough because your lungs have been irritated. This should slowly disappear during the course of your recovery. It’s not clear how long after coronavirus (COVID-19) you may have a cough and it can be frustrating at times.

What does a lung infection feel like?

Chest pain caused by a lung infection is often described as sharp or stabbing. The chest pain tends to worsen while coughing or breathing deeply. Sometimes the sharp pains can be felt in your mid to upper back.

Why do my lungs hurt from coughing?

Also known as pleurisy, this condition is an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the lungs and chest. You likely feel a sharp pain when you breathe, cough, or sneeze. The most common causes of pleuritic chest pain are bacterial or viral infections, pulmonary embolism, and pneumothorax.

What causes lung pain?

Severe and chronic coughing can strain the muscles of the chest, causing pain and soreness. Chest pain is commonly caused by pneumonia, which can inflame the lungs as well as the pleura or membranes that encompass the lungs, leading to severe chest pain and tenderness, particularly on deep inhalation.

What does lung cancer pain feel like?

Lung tumors often cause pain on the same side as the cancer and may be associated with other symptoms like coughing up blood ( hemoptysis) and weight loss. People who experience muscle-related pain in their chest area may feel like it’s coming from their lungs.

Why does my upper back hurts when I Breathe?

Upper back pain while breathing is typically related to a sprained rib, where the rib keys into the side of the spine. Each time you inhale and exhale, the lungs will inflate with air and then empty again.