Should I go to the GP for a chest infection?

Many chest infections aren't serious and get better within a few days or weeks. You won't usually need to see your GP, unless your symptoms suggest you have a more serious infection. While you recover at home, there are things you can do to improve your symptoms.

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Should I see my GP for chest infection?

See a GP if you have a chest infection and:

you feel very unwell or your symptoms get worse. you cough up blood or blood-stained mucus. you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks.

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Is it bad to leave a chest infection untreated?

Although most chest infections are mild and improve on their own, some cases can be very serious, even life-threatening. A bout of infection of the large airways (bronchi) in the lungs (acute bronchitis) usually gets better on its own within 7-10 days without any medicines.

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How do I know if my chest infection is viral or bacterial?

Often viral cases of pneumonia begin as congestion and cough with or without fever in the first few days. When a doctor listens to the lungs and finds breathing sounds are not clear on either side of the chest, a viral cause over bacterial is even more highly suspected.

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What can be mistaken for a chest infection?

What If You Have Pneumonia and the Doctor Misses It?
  • The flu (influenza)
  • The common cold.
  • Pleurisy.
  • Sinus infection.
  • Seasonal viruses or “bugs”
  • Other upper respiratory infections.

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Chest Infection? - Do you need Antibiotics?

31 related questions found

Can you leave a chest infection without antibiotics?

Antibiotics aren't recommended for many chest infections, because they only work if the infection is caused by bacteria, rather than a virus. Your GP will usually only prescribe antibiotics if they think you have pneumonia, or you're at risk of complications such as fluid building up around the lungs (pleurisy).

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What are 3 symptoms of bronchitis?

Symptoms of bronchitis
  • sore throat.
  • headache.
  • runny or blocked nose.
  • aches and pains.
  • tiredness.

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Will a chest infection go away on its own?

Chest infections are common, especially after a cold or flu during autumn and winter. Although most are mild and get better on their own, some can be serious or even life-threatening.

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Can a doctor tell if you have a chest infection?

If your symptoms persist over more than seven days, you should make an appointment with your doctor. The doctor will make a physical examination to assess your condition. This may include listening to your breathing with a stethoscope, as wheezing can be a sign of pneumonia which requires more serious treatment.

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How do I know if my chest infection is viral?

Warning signs

"With a viral cough, you often have a fever which tends to go up and down," explains Coffey. "With a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia, you tend to have a consistently high fever - usually around 38-40°C." If your fever remains persistently high, it's worth giving your GP a call.

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What are the first warning signs of pneumonia?

Symptoms of pneumonia
  • a cough – which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green, brown or blood-stained mucus (phlegm)
  • difficulty breathing – your breathing may be rapid and shallow, and you may feel breathless, even when resting.
  • rapid heartbeat.
  • fever.
  • feeling generally unwell.
  • sweating and shivering.
  • loss of appetite.

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Do I need antibiotics if coughing up yellow phlegm?

After 2 or 3 days, mucus may change to a white, yellow, or green color. This is normal and does not mean you need an antibiotic. Some symptoms, especially runny or stuffy nose and cough, can last for up to 10 to 14 days. Those symptoms should improve over time.

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What does a pneumonia cough sound like?

Your doctor will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. If you have pneumonia, your lungs may make crackling, bubbling, and rumbling sounds when you inhale.

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Can a chemist prescribe antibiotics for a chest infection?

Will I get antibiotics? Both pharmacists can write prescriptions, so if after examining you they feel you have a bacterial infection they are able to write you a prescription for the most appropriate treatment. Many conditions are caused by viruses and do not require antibiotics.

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When should I see a DR about a chesty cough?

See a GP if:

you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks (persistent cough) your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse – for example, you have a hacking cough or cannot stop coughing. you feel very unwell.

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How long are you contagious with a chest infection?

Most people will be contagious for up to 2 weeks. Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you're most likely to spread the virus.

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What does a bronchitis cough sound like?

A bronchitis cough sounds like a rattle with a wheezing or whistling sound. As your condition progresses, you will first have a dry cough that can then progress towards coughing up white mucus.

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How long should a chesty cough last?

HOW LONG DOES A CHESTY COUGH LAST? Like most other coughs, a chesty cough will usually clear up on its own within a couple of weeks. If you've had a cold, it's usually the last symptom to go away. If your cough persists for longer than this or gets worse, please speak to a medical professional.

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Is coughing up phlegm good when sick?

Is coughing up phlegm a good thing? Yes. While the presence of mucus may indicate an underlying issue, coughing up phlegm is a good thing because it helps clear irritants, allergens and infections out of your system.

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How does bronchitis feel at first?

If you have acute bronchitis, you might have cold symptoms, such as a mild headache or body aches. While these symptoms usually improve in about a week, you may have a nagging cough that lingers for several weeks.

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How do you break up chest congestion?

How to break up chest congestion
  1. Drink lots of water. Drinking lots of water can help loosen mucus so you can cough it up and out of your system. ...
  2. Using steam. Deep coughs caused by chest congestion can become more productive with the help of steam. ...
  3. Taking expectorant medicines that contain guaifenesin.

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How do you know the difference between a cold and a chest infection?

The symptoms of a chest infection are more likely to include coughing and bringing up phlegm. An upper respiratory tract infection may cause a cough, but it can also produce symptoms such as sneezing, a blocked or runny nose and a sore throat. The effects of a chest infection will also tend to last a little longer.

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How do you rule out pneumonia?

A chest X-ray is often used to diagnose pneumonia. Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) see whether your immune system is fighting an infection. Pulse oximetry measures how much oxygen is in your blood. Pneumonia can keep your lungs from getting enough oxygen into your blood.

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