If you’re struggling with the symptoms of a chest infection, diagnosis and treatment are imperative to avoid further complications. No matter how long you’ve experienced the symptoms, a chest infection can take its toll on anyone. That’s why it’s important to understand the signs and causes of these types of illnesses, not only to avoid those complications, but to get you feeling better fast.
What Causes Chest Infections?
A chest infection typically takes place in the lungs, though they can also affect your sinuses, tonsils, larynx, and throat. There are two types of chest infections:
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Acute Bronchitis: An infection of the large airways in the lungs, resulting from a viral infection.
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Pneumonia: A serious lung infection.
The causes of chest infections can vary, though they are mostly caused by a virus or bacteria entering the affected area. Infections are most common during the winter and autumn seasons, especially after experiencing a cold or flu. However, they are more common in:
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Individuals who smoke
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Individuals with long-term chest problems (e.g. asthma)
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Young children
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Elderly
What are the Symptoms of Chest Infections?
There are many determinants (e.g. age) that affect the types of symptoms that you may experience when you get a chest infection. The most common signs of an infection include:
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Difficult breathing
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Coughing with brown or green-colored phlegm
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Fever
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Blue color around the lips
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Stomach pains
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Chest pains
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Headaches
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General aches and pains
Types of Treatments for Chest Infections
Most chest infections aren’t serious, and healthy individuals can get better with just a few days of rest. One treatment you can do at home if you feel that your symptoms are not serious or life-threatening is to rest and drink plenty of fluids.
However, we highly recommend visiting your nearest FastMed Urgent Care location if one of the following applies to you:
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Your symptoms are severe
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Your symptoms last longer than three weeks
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You feel confused, disoriented, or drowsy
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You have difficulty breathing
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Your skin or lips develop a blue tinge
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You are pregnant
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You are age 65 or older
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You are overweight and have a difficult time breathing
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You have a weakened immune system
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You have a long-term health condition
If you experience symptoms similar to or related to these, FastMed Urgent Care is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — (even on holidays) to help. Our medical professionals can provide prompt medical attention when you need it to get you on your way to feeling better fast. Visit a center today!
About FastMed
FastMed is a leading provider of high-quality, convenient, affordable, and compassionate healthcare in 34 counties across North Carolina. FastMed serves both urban and rural communities across the state with a wide range of care options, including preventive, telemedicine, occupational health, and primary and urgent care. FastMed is one of the few urgent care providers in the nation that has earned The Joint Commission’s coveted Gold Seal of Approval® for quality, safety, and infection control in ambulatory healthcare. For more information, visit www.fastmed.com.