I’m an 18 year old female. I am quite concerned about a tender lump that I have found underneath my left ribcage. Its on the side, and continues the shape of my ribcage further down. I’m quite skinny so I can feel it. What is it? I know there is something there because I it hurts if I lay down on this side or stretch. I have been also getting quite tired recently sometimes, and feel weird and dizzy. I went to visit my doctor a few weeks ago because of trouble breathing, he didn’t know what was wrong with me and said I had a virus. Can you tell me what you think that thing is on my side??

Dr. Joshua’s Answer

Apart from a number of other possible lumps, it could be enlarged spleen due to a viral infection or some other disease affecting the spleen, potentially serious. Especially in young people, the spleen can enlarge due to a viral infection such as a cold. However, as I said there are more serious diseases that could cause enlargement of the spleen, so I definitely think you should see your doctor about this without delay, especially since you have trouble breathing and you are feeling dizzy and tired.

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