If you keep getting chest infections or you're at risk of getting one for example, because you're over 65 or have a serious long-term health condition , you should:. Page last reviewed: 07 September Next review due: 07 September Chest infection. Check if you have a chest infection Chest infections often follow colds or flu. The main symptoms are: a chesty cough — you may cough up green or yellow mucus wheezing and shortness of breath chest pain or discomfort a high temperature a headache aching muscles tiredness These symptoms can be unpleasant, but they usually get better on their own in about 7 to 10 days.
The cough and mucus can last up to 3 weeks. Symptoms Chest infections often follow colds or flu. The main symptoms are: chesty cough — coughing up green or yellow mucus wheezing and shortness of breath high temperature fever of 38 degrees Celsius or above headache aching muscles tiredness These symptoms can be unpleasant, but they usually get better on their own in about 7 to 10 days.
Treatment If you have a chest infection:. Do get plenty of rest drink lots of water to loosen the mucus and make it easier to cough up use painkillers to bring down a fever and ease headaches and muscle pain raise your head up while sleeping - use extra pillows to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus drink a hot lemon and honey drink to relieve a sore throat.
Don't do not let children breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water because of the risk of scalding do not give aspirin to children under 16 do not smoke — it can make your symptoms worse.
Pharmacists can help Your pharmacist may suggest decongestant treatment. Coughing up the mucus helps clear the infection from your lungs. Talk to your GP. Urgent advice: Talk to your GP if you have a chest infection and you:. If your symptoms are severe you may have pneumonia. Treatment from your GP Treatment will depend on what caused your chest infection — a virus or bacteria.
Home remedies for chest infection. How long does it take to recover from a chest infection? What are possible complications from a chest infection? How to prevent a chest infection. The outlook. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, MD. Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, M. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M. What Are the Symptoms of Bronchitis? Young children and the elderly are most at risk, as well as people who are ill and smokers.
A chest infection can be serious for these people. Pneumonia is more common in winter and spring. It can strike suddenly or come on slowly over a few days. The symptoms will depend on your age, the cause and severity of the infection, and any other medical problems you may have. Symptoms include:. Most people with bronchitis can be treated at home and make a full recovery. Assessment of the severity of pneumonia is complex.
Some patients can be managed at home on simple antibiotics. Those assessed as severe may require admission to the intensive care unit and their illness may be life threatening.
Treatment options include:. If you have a bacterial chest infection, you should start to feel better 24 to 48 hours after starting on antibiotics. You may have a cough for days or weeks. For other types of chest infections, the recovery is more gradual.
You may feel weak for some time and need a longer period of bed rest. Be guided by your doctor, but general self-care suggestions include:.
0コメント