The following features are indicative of Chest Infection:
coughing up mucus
wheezing
shortness of breath
chest discomfort
rapid breathing
breathing difficulties
fever
general malaise
loss of appetite
abdominal pain
headache
chest pain
cough
blue colouration of the skin around the mouth
It is possible that Chest Infection shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Chest Infection
The following are the most common causes of Chest Infection:
viral infections
smoking cigarettes
bacterial infections
fungal infections
Other Causes of Chest Infection
The following are the less common causes of Chest Infection:
air pollution
genetic factors
Risk Factors for Chest Infection
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Chest Infection:
maternal smoking
stress
use of antibiotics
children who are 2 years old or younger
people who are age 65 or older
smoking
being hospitalized
chronic disease
weakened or suppressed immune system
Prevention of Chest Infection
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Chest Infection. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
avoid exposure to lung irritants
get vaccinated against the pneumonia
wash your hands regularly
avoid smoking
practice good hygiene
do exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet
Occurrence of Chest Infection
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Chest Infection cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Chest Infection can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Chest Infection can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Chest Infection
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Chest Infection:
Chest CT scan: To see the size, shape, and position of the lungs and structures in the chest
Chest X ray: To create pictures of the structures in and around the chest
Lung function test: To measure how well the lungs work
Bronchoscopy: To look inside the lung airways
Physical exam: To check for abnormal bubbling or crackling sounds by listening to your lungs with a stethoscope
Blood tests: To determine the infection
Pulse oximetry: To measure the oxygen level in your blood
Sputum test: To evaluate the cause of the infection
Pleural fluid culture: To detect the type of infection
Doctor for Diagnosis of Chest Infection
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Chest Infection:
Infectious disease specialist
Pulmonologist
Complications of Chest Infection if untreated
Yes, Chest Infection causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Chest Infection is left untreated:
respiratory infections
heart problems
lung cancer
high blood pressure in lung arteries
depression
bacteremia
septic shock
lung abscesses
pleural effusions
empyema
pleurisy
renal failure
respiratory failure
Procedures for Treatment of Chest Infection
The following procedures are used to treat Chest Infection:
Surgical treatment: Resecting the laryngeal nerve
Bronchial thermoplasty: Reduces the ability of the airways to tighten
Allergy shots: Reduces the immune system reaction to specific allergens
Oxygen therapy: Supplies oxygen in the blood
Lung volume reduction surgery: Removes the damaged lung tissues from the upper lungs
Lung transplant: Improves the ability to breathe and to be active
Bullectomy: Removes bullae from the lungs to help improve air flow
Self-care for Chest Infection
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Chest Infection:
Use air conditioner: Reduces the amount of airborne pollens
Prevent mold spores: Keep mold spores from developing
Get regular exercise: Prevents from asthma attacks
Maintain a healthy weight: Reduces the worsening asthma
Stay hydrated: To help loosen mucus in your lungs
Get plenty of rest: Makes you feel better
Take medicine as prescribed: Helps you in recovering the infections more quickly
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Chest Infection
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Chest Infection:
Breathing exercises: Improves the asthma symptoms
Herbal and natural remedies: Improves asthma symptoms
Patient Support for Treatment of Chest Infection
The following actions may help Chest Infection patients:
Pace yourself: Take breaks between the tasks and avoid activities that make the symptoms worse
Talk to others with same condition: Connect with people facing similar challenges
Child having asthma: Pay attention on the things child can do
Pulmonary rehabilitation program: These programs combine education, exercise training, nutrition advice and counseling that improves quality of life
Join supporting research groups: Provides medical knowledge and care about the disease
Time for Treatment of Chest Infection
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Chest Infection to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
In 1 - 4 weeks
Is Chest Infection Infectious?
Yes, Chest Infection is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
air-borne droplets
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Chest Infection.