Need help treating a chest infection? Prioritise plenty of rest & try out our self-care techniques from the comfort of your own home
Chest infections are a common illness that can affect people of all ages. It’s a term that describes an infection of the lungs and airways and can develop in either one or both lungs. These infections can spread easily from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The two main types of chest infection are bronchitis and pneumonia and the cause of each differs, which we’ll discuss later in this article. In this article, we’ll be sharing some top tips to help ease the signs and symptoms associated with a chest infection.
What are the signs & symptoms of a chest infection?
How do you know if you have a chest infection? The first thing you’ll need to familiarise yourself with is the symptoms of a chest infection. They can share similarities to that of cold and flu and can include:
• A persistent, chesty cough
• Coughing up green or yellow mucus
• Shortness of breath (you may wheeze or experience rapid and shallow breathing)
• Chest pain or discomfort which can feel like a tightness in your chest
• A high temperature (fever)
You can also experience one or several general symptoms associated with an infection, including headaches, fatigue, aching muscles, loss of appetite or tiredness.
How long does a chest infection last?
Although everyone’s experiences are unique to them, the majority of chest infection cases are mild and will get better within a few days or few weeks. The NHS suggest that the symptoms associated with a chest infection should start to improve in around seven to 10 days. However, it’s worth noting that bouts of coughing and mucus can last up to three weeks so try not to worry if your cough lasts longer than your other symptoms.
If you do have a persistent cough that doesn’t improve after three weeks of having the infection, speak to your GP.
Will a chest infection go away on its own?
Most chest infections will go away on their own without the need for medical intervention. That being said, there are a few steps you can follow whilst recovering at home to help improve your symptoms.
How to ease the signs & symptoms of a chest infection
Getting plenty of rest is key, alongside drinking plenty of fluids as this can help loosen the mucus on your chest, making it easier to cough up (propping yourself up whilst you sleep can also help with this and can make breathing easier). You can also treat any headaches, fever, aches or pains with pain relief, including paracetamol and ibuprofen if suitable for you.
Persistent coughing can make your throat sore, which can add to your discomfort when you have a chest infection. In these instances, drinking hot honey and lemon can be an effective self-help technique. The NHS recommend the following guidance to make a hot honey and lemon:
• Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water
• Add one to two teaspoons of honey
• Drink while still warm
Please note, hot drinks shouldn’t be given to small children. Children under 12 months old shouldn’t be given honey as it contains bacteria that can produce toxins in a baby’s intestines.
Smoking is also a lifestyle choice that can worsen symptoms of a chest infection. Although it can be challenging, taking the necessary steps to quit not only helps you when you have a chest infection but can also assist your health overall by improving lung function and blood circulation. The NHS Stop Smoking Service can give you the support and advice you need to start your quit smoking journey and is available at selected Boots pharmacies.
How is a chest infection treated?
To treat a chest infection, you’ll need to understand the cause. A chest infection is usually caused by either:
• A virus, such as bronchitis
• Bacteria, such as pneumonia (pneumonia can also be caused by a viral infection)
Chest infections that are caused by a virus will usually clear without the need for medical treatment. Bacterial chest infections differ as your GP may need to prescribe antibiotics to help improve your symptoms if they feel it’s appropriate. It can be difficult to understand the cause of your chest infection. Therefore, to better understand the cause of your chest infection, you may need to consult your GP.
Antibiotics are prescription only and should only be taken under the guidance of your healthcare professional. They aren’t used to treat viral chest infections as they’re not as effective. This is because viruses have a different structure to bacteria and therefore survive in different ways too.
If you’re prescribed antibiotics, the full course needs to be complete as advised by your GP. Even if your start to feel better after a couple of days. Failure to complete the full cycle can result in the infection not fully clearing out of your system.
There are some instances where your GP may also request an additional blood test or sample of your mucus to see what’s causing your chest infection. Your GP will discuss this with you and outline what you can expect.
When to seek further medical help for a chest infection
Unless your symptoms suggest you have a more serious infection, or if you have an underlying health condition, you shouldn’t need to visit your GP for treatment. However, you should seek further medical help if you have a chest infection and:
• You’re pregnant
• You’re over the age of 65
• You’re feeling very unwell and your symptoms aren’t improving. You may also notice your symptoms are getting worse
• You have a weakened immune system from a condition such as diabetes
• Your cough has lasted for more than three weeks
• You have a child under five and suspect they have a chest infection
• You’re coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus
• You have a long-term health condition such as asthma
• You are feeling confused, disorientated or drowsy
• The skin on your lips is turning blue or grey in colour (known as cyanosis)
It’s important to seek the correct medical care if your symptoms are severe. This could be a sign that you have pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the lungs that can become serious if left untreated. Rest assured with the right medical care; pneumonia can be treated.
