A chest infection is an unpleasant experience, affecting a person’s breathing and causing general discomfort. Though most are mild, some can be more serious. For elderly parents, especially, chest infections can be potentially life threatening. Therefore, it is important to understand the different types of chest infections.
What is a Chest Infection?
In many cases, a chest infection will occur after a cold or flu. They can be caused by a virus or bacteria. The infection will affect the lungs and other airways, making it difficult for the affected person to breathe.
Most cases occur during colder months, especially in Autumn and Winter. However, a chest infection can occur at any time of the year.
Symptoms of Chest Infections
Although there are a few different types of chest infections, they all share the same core symptoms. These can be recognised as:
- Persistent cough
- Producing thick mucus, often yellow or green (or, rarely, coughing up blood)
- Breathlessness or shallow breathing
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Rapid heartbeat
- High temperature or fever
Chest pain, coughing up blood, or a general intensification of symptoms could be a sign that it’s time to visit a doctor.
Types of Chest Infections
The type of chest infection a person has is usually linked to its cause. Most chest infections are usually categorised as either bronchitis or pneumonia. Bronchitis is most often caused by a viral infection, whereas pneumonia is usually bacterial.
A person will usually develop bronchitis if they have first experienced a cold or flu. For some people who develop bronchitis, it can become a long-lasting, chronic condition. People with bronchitis are more likely to experience a sore throat, runny nose, and additional aches and pains alongside other chest infection symptoms.
Pneumonia causes the build-up of fluid in the lungs, affecting breathing. It can develop suddenly, within 48 hours, or it may take several days. A person with pneumonia may be more likely to experience confusion or disorientation.
Tuberculosis is also a type of chest infection, though nowadays cases are very rare. It is a bacterial condition that prominently affects the lungs and can cause sudden weight loss and swellings in the neck. One of the most recognisable symptoms is coughing up blood. Tuberculosis can be treated with antibiotics, and a vaccine is also available.
Who is Most Vulnerable to Chest Infections?
Certain people are more likely to develop a chest infection. These include people who:
- Smoke
- Are overweight or obese
- Have compromised immune systems (such as after chemotherapy, a transplant, or recent illness, or because of a health condition, including undiagnosed HIV)
- Are over 65
- Have long-term health conditions, especially those affecting their lungs
- Are pregnant
- Babies and young children
- Children with developmental problems
Treating Chest Infections
Most chest infections go away within a few days or weeks, though the affected person will need to rest well and drink plenty of fluids. Most other steps a person can take will reduce the severity of symptoms rather than clearing up the infection.
Steps a person can take to reduce chest infection symptoms include:
- Taking painkillers to reduce aches and pains
- Drinking warm honey and lemon to relieve a sore throat
- Using extra pillows when sleeping to raise the head and make breathing easier
- Air humidifiers or steam from a bowl of hot water can ease coughs
- Stop smoking – smoking is one of the leading causes of chronic breathing difficulties
If symptoms become more severe, a visit to the doctor may become necessary. They will likely provide medication to address the cause of the chest infection. Therefore, if you have a viral infection they will provide antiviral medicine, and for a bacterial infection they will provide antibiotics.
Are Chest Infections Contagious?
A chest infection can be passed from one person to another. Though not as infectious as a cold or flu, coughing or sneezing can still spread the virus or bacteria responsible. Therefore, people with chest infections are advised to isolate when possible and maintain good hygiene, including covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing.
If the chest infection is caused by a bacterial infection, it will usually become non-contagious within 48 hours of taking antibiotics (though any prescribed course of antibiotics should be completed even if symptoms have ceased).
Preventing Chest Infections
As with many health conditions, it is always better to prevent a chest infection. Fortunately, there are several ways to accomplish this.
One of the most effective forms of prevention is good hygiene. Viruses and bacteria can survive for up to 24 hours on surfaces such as tissues or table tops. As a result, they could be transferred to multiple people a day. Keeping surfaces clean can help to reduce the likelihood of catching or spreading an infection.
Furthermore, a person with a chest infection should cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing and be sure to wash their hands regularly. If they cough or sneeze into a tissue, it should be binned immediately.
Lifestyle habits can also impact a person’s vulnerability to chest infections. People who smoke or drink regularly risk compromising their body’s immune system, making it more vulnerable to infection. Smoking, especially, damages the lungs and immune system, making infection more likely.
There is also a vaccine available that increases the body’s defence against flu and the pneumococcus bacterium (which causes pneumonia). By receiving this vaccine, a person is less likely to develop a chest infection. The vaccine is usually provided to babies and children, pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and people with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems.
Read More: Pneumonia
Our Mission
Telecare Choice provide personal alarms for elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people so that they can remain safe and secure in their own homes. A personal alarm allows you to request help at the press of a button. When the alarm is activated, our Monitoring Team speak to you through the loudspeaker to find out what support is needed. They then inform emergency contacts and, if necessary, the emergency services.
You can find out more about Telecare Choice alarms by reading our quick guide. Order your Telecare Choice personal alarm today.
