Chest infections

Chest infections are common, especially with a cold or flu.

Mostly, they’re not serious and they get better after a few days or weeks. You won’t normally need to see your GP.

Symptoms:

Coughing actually helps you clear the infection by getting rid of the phlegm (mucus) from your lungs.

Antibiotics won’t help a chest infection caused by a virus like flu or viral bronchitis. They’ll only help a bacterial chest infection.

get plenty of rest
drink lots of water to loosen the mucus and make it easier to cough up
use an air humidifier or inhale steam from a bowl of hot water (adults only)
raise your head up while sleeping using extra pillows to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus
use painkillers to bring down a fever and ease headaches and muscle pain

Seek medical advice if:

you feel very unwell or your symptoms get worse
you cough up blood or blood-stained mucus
you’ve had a cough for more than 3 weeks
you have another health condition, like diabetes, or heart, lung or kidney disease, or if you drink alcohol heavily
you’re over 65
you have a weak immune system