When the weather changes, it comes with different viral and bacterial infection, which can affect you for days. It can also be persistent for up to three weeks. Theses infections are common during autumn and winter. The symptoms of chest infection may include: a cough with thick coloured phlegm, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, loss of appetite, headache and stomach pain and may subside after some days. Lets look at some signs and symptoms of chest infection, home remedies, ways to prevent chest infection and when to actually see your doctor.
Signs and symptoms of chest infection
The main symptoms of chest infection are:
- Persistent chesty cough.
- Coughing up yellow or green phlegm.
- Wheeziness.
- High temperature.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Chest pain or tightness of the chest.
Many of the chest infections are not serious and
could be control and care for at home and get better within a few days or
weeks. Here are some home remedies to improve your chest infection.
- Drinking lots of Fluid to prevent dehydration, this would make it easier to cough up the mucus.
- Getting plenty of rest
- Drinking honey and lemon with warm water to relieve a sore throat
- Support your head with extra pillow to raise your head when sleeping.
- Inhale steam from bowl of hot water (hot water should not be used for children)
- Avoid smoking
- Onion, lemon juice and honey solution can help to relief chest infection
- Milk, turmeric powder, black pepper powder and honey mixture is also good.
- Garlic has many benefits and one of it is to enhance the immune system, garlic reduces the severity and duration of bacterial chest infection.
- Peppermint is also a great decongestant that soothes and calms sore throat.
Ways to
Prevent Chest infections:
There are some ways to help reduce the risk of
developing chest infection, and stop it from spreading
QuitSmoking: Smoking damages the
lungs and weakens the immune system making the body weaken to fight infection.
Good Hygiene: Good personal hygiene is very important when
suffering from chest infection, it will reduce the risk of spreading, although
chest infections are not as contagious as other common infections like flu, it
is important to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands
regularly.
Reduce Alcohol
intake: Excessive misuse of
alcohol can weaken the lungs’ natural protections against infections and makes you
vulnerable to chest infections.
Eating
good diet: Eating a healthy,
balanced diet can help strengthen the immune system, which can prevent you from
developing chest infections.
Vaccinations: These can help to prevent chest infection. Flu
and pneumococcal vaccinations are usually recommended for children, pregnant
women, aged 65 and over and people with long-term conditions.
When to
see your Doctor
You should endeavour to see your doctor if
experience the following:
Consult your GP, if there is a flu outbreak in
your area and you are at risk of serious infection.
- If your feel unwell and your symptoms are severe as there may be an underlying condition.
- Your symptoms are not improving.
- You have difficulty in breathing or chest pain.
- Coughing up blood.
- You are pregnant.
- Your skin or lips develop a blue tinge.
- You have weakened immune system.
Advice
Avoid cough medicine, as there’s little evidence
they work. The cough helps to clear the infection by getting rid of the phlegm
from the lungs.
Do not take antibiotic as it can only work if the
infection is caused by bacteria rather than virus.
By quitting smoking, having a good hygiene,
reduce alcohol and eating a balanced diet helps the immune system stronger and
prevents chest infection.
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands regularly and endeavour to put the used tissue in the bin to avoid spreading the infections to others.
Source: NHS Choices
No comments:
Post a Comment