Having a chest infection can be worrying. You may be wondering if you need to see a doctor or if you can treat it yourself at home. Here is a quick guide to help you decide if a doctor’s visit is necessary for a chest infection.
What are the symptoms of a chest infection?
The main symptoms of a chest infection include:
- Coughing, especially bringing up thick yellow, green or brown phlegm
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain when breathing or coughing
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Night sweats
Chest infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Viral chest infections like colds and the flu usually clear up on their own. A bacterial chest infection is more serious and almost always needs treatment with antibiotics.
When should I see a doctor for a chest infection?
You should make an appointment to see your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Symptoms last more than 3 weeks
- High fever over 101°F (38°C)
- Extreme shortness of breath
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain that gets worse with coughing or breathing
- Rapid breathing or heart rate
- Signs of dehydration like dizziness, extreme thirst and dark urine
- Confusion or disorientation
Seeing a doctor promptly when these symptoms are present can prevent complications from developing.
People at higher risk who should always see a doctor for a chest infection:
- Infants
- Young children
- Adults over 65 years
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD
- Those with a weakened immune system
- People with other chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease
For these high risk groups, chest infections can quickly lead to pneumonia, hospitalization or life-threatening complications. At the first sign of a chest infection, it is best to call the doctor.
What tests and treatment will I get for a chest infection?
When you see the doctor for a chest infection, the visit will likely include:
- Medical history: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, when they started, any underlying conditions, and if you have any risk factors.
- Physical exam: The doctor will listen to your breathing with a stethoscope. They may check your heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and oxygen levels.
- Chest X-ray or CT scan: An imaging test can confirm if there is an infection in your lungs and see the extent of it.
- Sputum test: A sample of your phlegm or mucus may be sent to the lab to determine if bacteria are present and identify the type.
- Blood tests: Blood work can show if there are signs of infection and look for complications.
If a bacterial lung infection is diagnosed, antibiotics will likely be prescribed. The type and length of antibiotics depends on the severity of the infection and if you have any drug allergies.
For milder cases, oral antibiotics for 7-10 days may be enough. More severe or chronic infections require 2-3 weeks of intravenous antibiotics in the hospital.
Along with antibiotics, your doctor may recommend:
- Cough medicine: To ease coughing and help loosen mucus.
- Fever reducers: Like acetaminophen to lower temperature and relieve aches.
- Inhalers: Such as bronchodilators to open airways if you have breathing difficulty.
- Chest physiotherapy: Percussion vests or breathing exercises if you have a lot of mucus buildup.
- Oxygen therapy: If oxygen levels are low, oxygen administered through a nasal cannula may be needed.
Most healthy adults recover from a bacterial chest infection within 2-3 weeks with antibiotics and symptom management. Get emergency care if breathing difficulties worsen even after treatment.
When can a chest infection be treated at home?
It may be possible to treat a mild chest infection at home without seeing a doctor if you:
- Are otherwise healthy
- Have no underlying lung disease
- Have a fever under 101°F (38°C)
- Do not have shortness of breath
- Are not coughing up blood or phlegm
With rest and self-care, viral chest infections often improve on their own. You can try remedies like:
- Drinking plenty of fluids like water, broths and herbal tea
- Getting extra sleep and relaxation
- Using a humidifier to loosen mucus
- Taking over-the-counter cough suppressants, expectorants or decongestants
- Gargling with salt water to soothe a sore throat
- Eating spicy foods to open airways
- Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and body aches
- Trying honey to reduce coughing
See a doctor if symptoms persist beyond a week or get significantly worse. Chest infections always require medical treatment in high risk groups and those with severe symptoms.
Emergency warning signs to get immediate medical care:
- Trouble breathing or gasping for air
- Chest pain that worsens with coughing or breathing
- Blue lips or nails
- Confusion and disorientation
- High fever over 103°F (39°C)
- Coughing up blood or yellow/green phlegm
These signs can indicate a serious case of pneumonia, lung abscesses, sepsis or other life-threatening complications. Call an ambulance or go to your nearest Emergency Room if you experience them.
How can I prevent chest infections?
You can lower your risk of getting a chest infection by:
- Getting immunized against the flu and pneumonia
- Washing hands frequently with soap and water
- Avoiding contact with sick people
- Not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
- Eating a healthy diet high in vitamins and minerals
- Exercising regularly to strengthen your lungs
- Getting enough sleep to support your immune system
People with asthma or COPD should stick closely to their treatment plans to prevent exacerbations. Controlling underlying conditions like diabetes can also minimize the risk of infection.
Treating colds quickly at the first signs of illness and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics use are also important to prevent antibiotic resistance.
When to see a doctor for ongoing symptoms
In some cases, symptoms of a chest infection can persist even after treatment:
- Cough lasts over 3 weeks
- Continued production of colored phlegm
- Wheezing, chest tightness or breathing difficulties
- Fevers that recur after finishing antibiotics
- Fatigue, headaches and muscle aches won’t go away
See your doctor again if your symptoms are not improving as expected after treatment. You may need a longer course of antibiotics or a different type of medication to fully resolve the lung infection.
Rarely, some germs may be resistant to initial antibiotics prescribed. Your doctor can culture a sputum sample to identify the organism and determine the most effective antibiotic.
Underlying lung diseases like COPD or bronchiectasis may also need treatment adjustments if infections keep returning. Worsening of an existing lung condition needs quick medical care.
Reasons to get reevaluated by a doctor for lingering chest infection symptoms:
- Make sure antibiotic resistance is not an issue
- Rule out complications like lung abscess or pleural effusion
- Check for underlying lung disease or immune deficiencies
- Assess need for IV antibiotics or hospital care
- Confirm the infection has fully resolved on imaging
With prompt medical attention for recurring symptoms, most people recover fully even if a chest infection persists longer than normal.
Conclusion
Chest infections often develop from viral colds or the flu. Milder cases can be managed at home with self-care. However, bacterial chest infections and pneumonia require prompt medical treatment, especially in high risk groups.
See a doctor right away if you have high fever, breathing difficulties, chronic cough, colored phlegm or are at higher risk of complications. With appropriate antibiotics and care, most otherwise healthy people recover well.
Get emergency care for trouble breathing, chest pain, low oxygen levels or confusion as these may indicate a severe lung infection or sepsis.
Prevention with flu shots, hand hygiene and controlling underlying conditions is key. Seek follow up care if symptoms are not resolving as expected to confirm antibiotic effectiveness and rule out resistant bacteria or lung disease.