CHEST INFECTIONS – THE FACTS
My Weekly’s favourite gp from tv and radio writes for you
Before antibiotics, pneumonia used to be called “the old man’s friend”, but these days, most chest infections can be treated if caught early. However, they can still take weeks to get over so prevention is better than cure.
We all get coughs and colds – an average of 4 a year for adults and even more for children – but doctors don’t define these as chest infections. We call them URTIs, or upper respiratory tract infections. “Real” chest infections include pneumonia (infection deep in your lungs) or bronchitis (inflammation of the airways to your lungs). They can be caused by viruses, like colds, but bacterial infections are often more serious.
As you get older your immune system becomes less agile and not as well equipped to kill infections. Your immune system is also more vulnerable if you have other long term conditions like heart or kidney disease or diabetes.
If I have one piece of advice to avoid chest infections, it’s DON’T SMOKE! Quitting is incredibly hard – nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs we know – but the NHS provides free services to help you get over the triggers to light up first, so you can then wean yourself off the physical craving for nicotine. E-cigarettes have risen in popularity and UK scientists say they’re up to 95% less damaging than cigarettes, although we don’t know about long term effects yet, but they can certainly help you quit. Tablets like Champix (from your GP) act by stopping craving for nicotine.
If you have COPD (chronic lung disease that used to be called bronchitis or emphysema) you’re at much higher risk of chest infections since the condition makes it hard for you to get rid of germs deep in your lungs. You may get flare-ups, with an increase in cough and sputum and/or a change in the colour of your sputum. You may get more breathless too.
Your GP may give you a “rescue pack” of antibiotics and steroid tablets to keep at home. At the first sign of a flare-up you should start taking them – don’t wait to speak to your GP before you do. Prompt treatment greatly reduces the chance of serious infection. If you get more breathless, increase the dose of your “reliever” inhaler. If you’re still breathless despite this, start taking your course of steroid tablets – usually for a week. Your doctor can advise you on changes to your medicines and when you need to go and see them.
Even if you have COPD, giving up smoking will still cut your risk of infections. Pulmonary rehabilitation – supervised exercise sessions with trained physiotherapists – can improve your exercise ability and help you walk further, improving general fitness and balance. This stacks the odds in favour of recovering faster if you do get an infection.
A healthy diet is hugely important to keep your immune system strong. People who are malnourished are more prone to serious chest infections and take longer to recover. There’s evidence that people who exercise regularly get fewer infections. While getting very cold may increase the risk of complications from chest infections, you don’t need to stay inside. A brisk walk, well wrapped up, is still a good idea even when winter comes.
Next week: Addicted to your medication?