QUESTION: When do I need a chest X-ray?
ANSWER: Normally the three key signs that an X-ray is required are chest pain, shortness of breath, and severe cough accompanied by green, cloudy, or rusty mucus. If you have underlying pulmonary or cardiac problems such as asthma or congestive heart failure, then even without these three symptoms, an X-ray is needed when a respiratory infection lingers beyond five days.
