Chest infection: what should I do?

What signs show you have a chest infection?

If you have a chest infection, you might:

• Cough a lot
• Feel very tired
• Have a fever (feel hot)
• Find it hard to breathe
• Hear a crackling noise when you breathe
• Have chest pain

If you think you have these signs, tell a grown-up or see a doctor. They can help you feel better. You can also use a digital thermometer to check if you have a fever.

Do I need to see a doctor if I think I have a chest infection?

If you think you have a chest infection, it is important to talk to a doctor. A doctor can help you feel better. They can give you medicine if you need it.

Here are some signs you might have a chest infection:

• You have a cough that does not go away.
• You find it hard to breathe.
• Your chest hurts.
• You feel very tired or weak.
• You have a fever or feel hot and cold.

If you have these signs, tell an adult and ask them to help you see a doctor.

Sometimes, using supportive tools can help:

• Ask an adult to read with you.
• Use pictures to understand more.
• Take notes of what the doctor says.

Remember, seeing a doctor can help you get better faster.

Can I get better from a chest infection at home?

If you have a chest infection, you might be able to feel better at home. Here are some tips:

• Rest a lot. Sleep helps your body get better.
• Drink plenty of water or juice. This keeps your body strong.
• Keep warm. Wear a cozy sweater or use a blanket if you're cold.
• If you have a cough, use a pillow to support your back when sitting up.
• If you feel pain, ask an adult to help you with medicine for pain. Always follow what the doctor says.

If you are not feeling better, ask a doctor for help. It is important to get the right care.

Tools that can help:

• Use a thermometer to check if you have a fever. Let an adult know.
• Have an adult read this information with you.

When should I go to the doctor quickly for a chest infection?

If you have a chest infection, sometimes you might need a doctor quickly. Here is when you should ask for help:

• If you find it very hard to breathe.
• If you have a pain in your chest that does not go away.
• If your lips or skin look blue or grey.
• If you feel very confused or sleepy.
• If you have a high fever that will not go away.

Remember, it is always okay to ask for help if you feel worried. You can also:

• Ask a friend or family member to help you call the doctor.
• Use a phone to talk to a nurse or doctor.
• Write down how you feel to show the doctor.

The important thing is to get help if you need it.

What can the doctor give you for a chest infection?

If you have a chest infection, the doctor can help make you feel better. Here are some things the doctor might give you:

• Medicines: The doctor might give you pills or medicine to drink to help fight germs.
• Rest: It's important to get lots of rest so your body can heal.
• Fluids: Drink lots of water or juice to stay hydrated.

Remember to listen to the doctor and tell them how you feel. If reading is hard, ask someone to help you understand or use a talking app to read it out loud.

How long does a chest infection usually last?

Chest infections can make you cough and feel bad.

They usually last for 1 to 3 weeks.

Here are some things to help you feel better:

• Rest a lot.
• Drink lots of water.
• If you feel very sick, visit a doctor.

Do you need antibiotics for every chest infection?

Not all chest infections need antibiotics. Antibiotics are medicines that help when you have a bacterial infection. Sometimes, a chest infection can be caused by a virus, and in that case, antibiotics won't help.

It's important to see a doctor. They can tell you if you need antibiotics or not.

Here are some things that can help you feel better if you have a chest infection:

• Rest: Take it easy and get lots of sleep.
• Drink: Have plenty of water or warm drinks like soup.
• Warm cloth: Put a warm cloth on your chest to feel more comfortable.
• Meds: Ask a grown-up to help you with over-the-counter medicine if needed.

Can you catch a chest infection from someone else?

How can I stop a chest infection?

You can do things to help not get a chest infection:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water.

2. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

3. Stay away from people who are sick.

4. Get lots of rest and eat healthy food.

5. Drink lots of water and stay active.

6. Ask your doctor about a flu shot.

Tools to help:

• Pictures to show how to wash hands.
• A fun chart to track water you drink each day.
• Someone to remind you to rest and eat well.

How is a chest infection different from pneumonia?

A chest infection and pneumonia are both illnesses that make it hard to breathe.

Chest Infection: This is when germs make your chest feel bad. It can make you cough, have a fever, and feel tired.

Pneumonia: This is a more serious type of chest infection. It means your lungs are more affected, and it can make you feel very sick. You might need to see a doctor.

It is important to use pictures or videos that help explain these conditions. You can also ask a doctor or a health helper for more information.

How can you feel better from a chest infection at home?

If you have a chest infection, here are some things you can do at home to feel better:

• Drink lots of water and warm drinks, like tea or soup, to help clear your chest.
• Rest a lot to help your body fight the infection.
• Use a pillow to prop yourself up when lying down to help you breathe better.
• Try a steam inhalation by sitting in a bathroom with a hot shower running.
• Ask a grown-up to help you get some honey for your throat if you are coughing a lot.
• Keep a tissue handy to cover your mouth when you cough.

It is always good to tell a grown-up how you are feeling, and they can take you to see a doctor if you need more help.

Does smoking make a chest infection worse?

Smoking can make a chest infection worse. It can also make it harder to get better.

If you have a chest infection and you smoke, it is good to try to stop smoking. This can help you feel better faster.

Some tools can help you stop smoking, like special chewing gum or patches. You can also ask a doctor or a friend for help.

Is a chest infection serious for older people?

A chest infection can be serious for older people. It can make it hard to breathe and make them feel very tired. Older people might need extra help from a doctor or nurse.

Here are some things that can help:

• Visit the doctor if you feel unwell.
• Take medicines the doctor gives you.
• Drink a lot of water.
• Rest and take it easy.

How do chest infections affect people with asthma or COPD?

A chest infection is when your lungs get sick. This can make it hard to breathe.

If you have asthma or COPD, a chest infection can make breathing even harder.

Asthma and COPD already make the lungs work harder. A chest infection can add more trouble.

It is important to see a doctor if you have trouble breathing to get help.

Using inhalers or medicine can help when breathing is hard.

Supportive tools like a peak flow meter can help check how your lungs are working.

Friends and family can also help and support you when you feel unwell.

Can exercise help you get better from a chest infection?

Do you have a chest infection? Exercise might help you feel better! But first, talk to a doctor. Make sure it's safe for you to exercise.

Start with easy exercises. Try walking or gentle stretches. Don't do too much. Stop if you feel tired or have trouble breathing.

Listen to your body. Rest when you need to. Drink water to stay hydrated.

If you have a fever or feel very sick, rest is important. Wait until you feel better to do more exercise.

Remember: Ask a grown-up for help if you're not sure what to do.