can i cure a chest infection at home and how?
By graceandowen
@graceandowen (1637)
December 8, 2008 4:37am CST
I am sure i have a chest infection and have not time to go to the doctors
any ideas on how i can remedy this at home?
many thanks for reading and responding
Lucy
6 responses
@anitajayakumar (1202)
• India
9 Dec 08
The infection can occur in larger airways. In this case it is called bronchitis. When the infection occurs in smaller air sacs, it is called pneumonia. The most common chest infections symptoms include an accumulation of fluid and pus; the airways get swollen thus making the breathing difficult.
Chest infection is a risk for people of any age. Children and elderly people are more prone to the disease. It is also necessary to mention smokers and sick people.
Pneumonia is one of chest infections. It usually occurs in spring and winter. The disease may come unexpectedly or come slowly, during several days. As for the symptoms, they are individual and depend on such factors as the age of the patient, the severity and the causes of the infection as well as the health problems you might have. Traditionally, pneumonia is characterized by the following symptoms: difficult or fast breathing, fever, shivering, sweating, chills, blue color of the lips, chest pain, general pains and aches, coughing with green or brown phlegm, feeling unwell, stomach pain, headaches, appetite loss and others. As for the children, they can even vomit, be irritable, lethargic and have diarrhea.
As for the chest infections causes, there are three of them, including bacteria, a virus, mycoplasma.
There are three chest infections diagnosis methods. They are the X-ray of chest, blood tests and your phlegm sample.
Chest infection may be successfully cured at home. The treatment options are as follows. First of all, it is necessary to remember that your immune system is likely to fight the infection. It is possible to use antibiotics in order to recover. If you have fever or pain, you may take some painkillers, like paracetamol. Sometimes it is necessary to prescribe hospital treatment As a rule, this concerns children and elderly people who have the risk of complications.
The treatment for chest infection caused by bacteria usually includes the use of antibiotics. You may get better after 24-48 hours as you take antibiotics. Nevertheless, you may cough for some and even weeks. As for the other kinds of the infection, it may die off gradually, so you'll feel weak for a while and maybe you'll need a longer bed rest period.
It is necessary to follow the doctor's prescriptions, though you shouldn't forget about self-care. Take your medications according to the doctor's directions. In case you get better, don't stop taking them, but take the whole medical course. Try to drink lots of fluids, have a rest during some days, try to sleep on two pillows - your sleep will get better. It is important to give up smoking, at least for a short period of time if you can't give up permanently. Be sure to contact your doctor in case you have any questions or concerns. Immediately go to your doctor or to the emergency if you have difficulty breathing, feel worse or are running a high temperature. It is possible to avoid chest infection by having vaccination. Elderly people may be vaccinated for a period of five years.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
9 Dec 08
Hey Lucy~I'm not sure that not making time to go to the doctor
is the best idea. Only you know how badly you feel and even
that may not help. A chest infection can be very severe and
lead to pneumonia without you even knowing it! So I wouldn't
mess around with that for too long. If your chest hurts and
your are coughing up any mucous that is green or brown then
you have a definite infection that might require an antibiotic
so please take yourself to the doctor. I have chronic
bronchitis and it isn't any fun and it can last for weeks
and lead to pneumonia. An upper respiratory infection does
require a visit to the docs!
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
8 Dec 08
Chest infection usually occurs in winter and in spring and generally they can be cured at home. Children and elderly people, are especially prone to the disease. The treatment of the infection usually includes antibiotics. Yes, Chest infection may be successfully cured at home. The treatment options of chest infections include the use of antibiotics. Paracetamol or ther painkillers may be needed to control fever or pain.
© ronaldinu 2008
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
8 Dec 08
honey your first mistake is not making time for the doc.i was like you go,go,go, maybe i'm wrong,let's just say i "thought" i had a bladder infection and you know it'll go away.i no longer have a left kidney because i didn't make time.hope your feelin better
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
8 Dec 08
Drinking lots of juice and water can help keep everything moving smoothly. Run a vaporizer at night. Are you coughing when you breath? I wouldn't mess with a chest infection. It could lead to an upper respiratory infection or even pneumonia. I would go to the doctors if it hurts when you breath or if you're coughing a lot. Hope you get better soon.
@ejohn82 (155)
• India
8 Dec 08
I would advice you to visit a doctor than go for home remedies. Its best not to be a doctor yourself. You will never get time, you need to make time to visit your doctor. You can try steam inhalation use your mouth instead of your nose to inhale.(use just plain water, dont mix it with balm or anything).This is especially good if you are having cough. You need to give priority to visit your doc b'coz health is very important and you need to take care of it before it becomes more severe.