Chest infection

Question 1

What are the main symptoms of a chest infection?

Answer 1

A chest cough
Green/yellow mucus
Wheezing and SOB
Fever
Headache
Aching muscles
Tiredness

Question 2

How long do chest infection symptoms last?

Answer 2

7-10 days
Chesty cough up to 3 weeks.

Question 3

Chest infection lifestyle advice.

Answer 3

Rest
Drink lots of water
Raise head up while sleeping to make breathing easier and clear chest of mucus.
Drink hot lemon and honey to relieve sore throat
Stop smoking
Cover mouth when sneezing or coughing
Wash hands regularly

Question 4

Chest infection referral.

Answer 4

Blood in mucus
Cough >3 weeks
Pregnant
>65
Immunocompromised
Severe or worsening symptoms
Long-term health condition e.g., lung, heart, kidney

Question 5

OTC treatment for chest infection

Answer 5

Cold and flu tabs/caps
Lemsip
Lozenges for sore throat
Decongestant nasal sprays

Question 6

Cold and flu tablets counselling

Answer 6

Paracetamol - analgesic and antipyretic
Caffeine - energy
Phenlephrine - decongestant

Not recommended in <16s.

2 caps every 4-6 hours. Max 8 in a day. Max 3 days usually.

Have suspicions if bought in bulk.

DON’T TAKE OTHER PARACETAMOL CONTAINING PRODUCTS

Question 7

In which people are decongestants contraindicated?

Answer 7

<6 years old
Diabetics
Hypertension
Hyperthyroidism
Enlarged prostate
Glaucoma
Liver/kidney/heart/circulation issues
Antidepressant use

Question 8

What are some side effects of decongestants?

Answer 8

Irritation of nasal lining
Headaches
Nausea
Dry mouth
Rash

Question 9

How do decongestants work?

Answer 9

Cause vasoconstriction of vessels in nose which shrinks nasal mucosa membranes, thus relieving nasal obstruction due to inflammation.