Symptoms of a Chest Infection
Chest infections can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Cough: A dry or productive (mucus-producing) cough is a common symptom of a chest infection.
Fever: You may have a fever if you have a chest infection.
Shortness of breath: You may feel short of breath or have difficulty breathing if you have a chest infection.
Chest pain: Chest pain is a common symptom of chest infections.
Fatigue: You may feel tired and lethargic if you have a chest infection.
Wheezing: Wheezing is a whistling sound that can be heard when you breathe in and out. It is a common symptom of chest infections.
Diagnosing a Chest Infection at Home
If you suspect you may have a chest infection, you may want to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis. However, there are a few things you can do at home to help diagnose a chest infection.
Listen to your breathing: Listen to your breathing with a stethoscope or a pinard horn. This will help you detect any abnormal sounds such as wheezing or crackles.
Take your temperature: Take your temperature with a thermometer to see if you have a fever.
Check for signs of infection: Look for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or pus.
Check your mucus: Check the color of your mucus. If it is green or yellow, it may indicate an infection.
Perform a chest X-ray: If you are concerned you may have a chest infection, you may want to get a chest X-ray.
Treating a Chest Infection at Home
If you are diagnosed with a chest infection, there are a few things you can do at home to help treat it.
Get plenty of rest: Resting will help your body heal.
Drink plenty of fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids will help thin out the mucus and make it easier to cough up.
Take over-the-counter medication: There are over-the-counter medications that can help relieve symptoms such as fever, cough, and chest pain.
Use a humidifier: A humidifier can help loosen up the mucus and make it easier to cough up.
Use a vaporizer: A vaporizer can help relieve chest pain and help loosen up the mucus.