Chest infections are very common
especially during autumn and winter. Although most are mild
some chest infections can be life-threatening. The main symptoms that could indicate a
chest infection are a persistent cough, coughing up yellow or green phlegm or
mucus, wheezing or shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, a high
temperature or fever, a rapid heartbeat, a headache, muscle aches and pains,
generally feeling ill and tiredness. Acute bronchitis which is often a viral
infection and pneumonia which is often a bacterial infection are the two main
types of chest infections. Viral and bacterial chest infections have
overlapping symptoms but pneumonia causes more severe symptoms while acute
bronchitis symptoms are milder and usually get better within a week you may
have pneumonia if you experience shortness of breath chest pain in one
place when breathing in high fever or you're feeling very ill. How to treat a chest infection. There are plenty of things you
can try at home to help remedy a chest infection. Firstly make sure to get plenty of rest to give your body a chance to recover. Drinking lots of water is also important
not only does this keep you hydrated but it also helps loosen mucus so it's
easier to cough up.
To help lower your fever and relieve
headaches and muscle pains you can try taking painkillers such as paracetamol
or ibuprofen. Elevating your head and chest at night
with extra pillows can help clear your chest of mucus. if you're asthmatic or have another lung condition use your inhaler to relax the
muscles in your airwaves. One quick and easy remedy for your chest
infections you can try at home is making a cup of hot lemon and honey simply boil
a kettle and pour hot water into a mug cut a lemon in half and squeeze into the
mug making sure to keep the seeds out then add one or two tablespoons of honey
to the mixture and stir well drink this while warm to help soothe your chest
infection you might also want to try gargling warm salty water. If you enjoyed
this video make sure to like it and share it with your friends. To learn more
about chest infections dr. Sofia nalli has written an in-depth guide for medics
pot along with professor Jeremy Brown you can find the link to the full guide
in the description below.