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Chest infection

Overview

Open all pages about Chest infection

Symptoms of a chest infection include a chesty cough, coughing up mucus, wheezing, chest pain, a high temperature and a headache.

Getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of water, painkillers and a hot lemon and honey drink can help ease symptoms of a chest infection.

Treatment for a chest infection depends on the cause. Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial chest infections.

You can reduce the risk of getting or passing on chest infections by washing your hands, having flu and pneumonia vaccinations and stopping smoking.

A chest infection is an infection of the lungs or airways. It usually gets better within 3 weeks without treatment.

Page last reviewed: 21/06/2023
Next review due: 21/06/2026