A chest infection can be anything from a mild respiratory condition to a serious, life-threatening illness, such as pneumonia or an infection of the lung linings, called pleurisy.

What causes chest infections and who can get them?

Chest infections are very common and can affect anybody. It is sometimes hard to identify the cause of your chest infection but germs, such as bacteria or viruses, tend to be the cause. These germs are usually inhaled and then multiply as the infection spreads into your bronchus and lung tissue (bronchioles).

You are more prone to chest infections if you have a lung condition, such as asthma, bronchitis or cystic fibrosis. If your immune system is low, due to cancer, diabetes or heart problems, you might be more at risk of chest infections. Smoking also increases your chances of getting an infection.

What are the signs and symptoms of a chest infection?

A chesty cough that won’t go away, coughing up phlegm (which is usually yellow or green), breathlessness, a high temperature and chest pain are all symptoms of a chest infection.

How is a chest infection normally diagnosed and treated?

Your doctor will look at your symptoms and examine your chest and breathing using a stethoscope. This should confirm whether your lungs are infected. If you have a severe chest infection you might need to have other tests, such as chest x-rays and a CT scan.

Chest infections sometimes clear up without treatment. However, you might need antibiotic drugs if you have a bacterial infection. Viruses can be treated with anti-viral drugs early on in the infection, but many viruses are resistant to medicine.

Drinking plenty of water and fluids will help you to feel better and prevent you getting dehydrated. Getting lots of rest and sleep will also help. Taking paracetamol can help to reduce a temperature.

If you have a bad infection, such as pneumonia, you might need to go to hospital.

Looking forward

Building up a strong immune system will help prevent you getting infections in the future. Eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of water, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and giving up smoking will help you to stay healthy.

For more help and information

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Last reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: 11 July 2007

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