A bacterial infection often follows a viral infection that causes a cold or the flu. If you have bacterial pneumonia, your symptoms will be more serious and noticeable than non-bacterial pneumonia. Symptoms include:. Walking pneumonia usually indicates a more mild pneumonia caused by a bacteria called mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Walking pneumonia symptoms include:. Many viruses can lead to pneumonia, including the flu virus or RSV. Symptoms are similar to bacterial pneumonia but may also include headaches, extreme fatigue, or decreased appetite.
You might have a difficult time determining if you have a simple cough or if you have pneumonia. Thankfully, your doctor should have a better idea. To diagnose pneumonia your doctor may perform:. In most cases, you can be treated at home. Common treatment for pneumonia includes:. Skip to main content. You are here: Home Health and well-being Health conditions Chest infections and pneumonia. Chest infections and pneumonia Chest infections are very common, particularly after a cold or a bout of the flu, and especially during the winter.
However, you should see your GP if: you have a chest infection that lasts for longer than three weeks you start coughing up blood in your phlegm you're running a high temperature you experience sharp or stabbing pains in the chest. What you can do to get better. This will also help to thin the mucus in your lungs, making it easier to cough up take painkillers like paracetemol or ibuprofen to treat headaches, fever, and aches and pains stop smoking - if you smoke it will make your symptoms worse although cough medicines won't do anything to fight the infection, they may temporarily soothe some of the symptoms and make you feel a bit better.
Warm drinks like lemon juice and honey in hot water will also help to soothe a sore throat stay out of the cold and wrap up warm make sure you cover your mouth when you cough, and dispose of any used tissues straight away to prevent passing the infection on to others See your GP if your chest infection doesn't go away after a few weeks, or if you suddenly start to feel worse.
People at higher risk of chest infections. You might be in a high risk group if you're over 65, or have other health conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease , asthma , a heart condition , or a low immune system. Chest infection. Check if you have a chest infection Chest infections often follow colds or flu. The main symptoms are: a chesty cough — you may cough up green or yellow mucus wheezing and shortness of breath chest pain or discomfort a high temperature a headache aching muscles tiredness These symptoms can be unpleasant, but they usually get better on their own in about 7 to 10 days.
The cough and mucus can last up to 3 weeks. Do get plenty of rest drink lots of water to loosen the mucus and make it easier to cough up raise your head up while sleeping using extra pillows to make breathing easier and clear your chest of mucus use painkillers to bring down a fever and ease headaches and muscle pain drink a hot lemon and honey drink to relieve a sore throat. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey Drink while still warm Do not give hot drinks to small children.
Information: Call a pharmacy or contact them online before going in person. Find a pharmacy.
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