Managing Infections
Should I worry about Chest Infections?
Lots of people get chest infections, coughs and colds every day and most people will get over them within a few days, without any issues. However, some lung conditions increase the chances of you getting a chest infection and can make you more poorly than people without a lung condition. Also, chest infections can make your existing lung condition flare up. Therefore, it is important for you to be aware of the signs of infection and to know when to seek help.
You can help to reduce the risk of getting an infection by:
- Keeping physically active- see the Exercise and Physical Activity web page
- Stopping smoking
- Eating healthily- more information is available on the Diet and Nutrition page
- Taking medications as prescribed
- Avoiding others if they are unwell
- Practising Hands, Face, Space (wash your hands, cover your face, make space)
What signs of infections should I look out for?
Symptoms of a chest infection are like some of the symptoms you experience every day because of your lung condition, such as coughing, extra mucus (phlegm) production and breathlessness. However, if you experience a sudden worsening of your usual symptoms, if you are coughing up yellow or green phlegm, you have muscle aches and/or have a fever, you might have a chest infection.
If you think you might have a chest infection:
- Continue to take your regular lung medication as normal
- If your usual lung symptoms have got worse and your doctor has given you a reliever inhaler or rescue medication, you can use these if advised to by a healthcare professional. these
- If your usual medication isn’t helping, then you should make an appointment to see your GP; you might need some antibiotics or steroids to help get rid of the infection and calm the inflammation in your lungs.
- If you have chest pain or you are finding it difficult to breathe, phone 999.
Where to find out more
If you don’t currently have a chest infection, at your next routine visit speak to your GP, practice nurse or specialist respiratory team about making a plan for what to do, including the use of rescue medicine, in case you do get a chest infection. You can also discuss with your doctor what vaccinations might help you. If you do not have a GP, you can find out about local services on our service finder web page.
If you are currently having symptoms that make it hard for you to breathe or you have chest pain, seek urgent medical advice.
The sites listed below also have lots of useful information:
ASTHMA+LUNG UK- Chest Infections and Asthma