anyone had a chest infection and can you tell me a bit about them, please.

[Meglet]

I've developed a chest infection, bad cough for about 3 weeks, feeling short of breath, very poorly over weekend and temp is up and down. GP prescribed anti-b's yesterday which I'm hoping work in a day or two, despite making me feel sick.

How long am I likely to feel crap for and should I be careful and continue to take it easy just in case it turns into something worse? I'm usually very healthy, don't smoke, take vits, eat well, go to the gym when I can etc. But I'm very run down (lone parent to 2 pre-schoolers, commute to work 3 days a week - shattered basically) and so I assume my immune system is not working very well.

Any advice would be useful, even bad stuff. TIA.

bump.

You will feel like shit for a few more days imo. I have ahd afew Chest Infections but also have asthma which makes me worse and last for ages.

Go back to gp if you don't feel any better by thursady or if you become more breathless.

If the antibiotics are the right ones for your bug, you should start feeling better within 3 days of taking them - if you don't go back and they will change them.

No need to do anything special in terms of looking after yourself imo. The ABs will be dealing with the infection so it can't turn into anything else

I'm in the same way at the mo. Started anti-biotics yesterday, and actually feel much brighter this evening. Dr. gave me 1000mg Amoxycilin and some powders that are meant to MAKE me cough (cheers doc!) Seems to be working though.

I have Amoxycillin too. Can't stand anti-b's but I know I can't mess about with a chest infection.

when I had a chest infection last year the ABs (think it was 500mg Amoxycillin) took 4 or 5 days to kick in, and it was a week after that till I felt better.

Oooh no. My doc started talking about pneumonia! She is very good and not one to hand out pills when a nice rest will do. She signed me off for a week last year when I told her I was run down and tearful. It really did the trick. I do trust her judgement.

see, thats what I'm scared of - something grim like Pneumonia kicking in. We'd be stuffed if I was seriously ill.

My boss was pestering me about going to work tomorrow, I can't see it happening TBH.

I'm only signed off til tomorrow and DH has already said I should not go back.....You need to take your time i think.

I've had at least 2 of these per year for the last 18 years or so, so I can advise.

Keep your chest warm! This is very important and the biggest favour you can do yourself in terms of breathlessness. As the bronchioles in your lungs constrict and get clogged with a chest infection, getting cold will only make them worse. So wrap up warm. Hot water bottle helps, also a steam bath.

Coughing is your friend. If the phlegm is loose then you won't strain yourself trying to hack it up, and you do need to hack it up to clear it from your lungs. Steam and Vick are good for keeping it loose.

You might feel like crap for a couple of weeks yet.
Oh and suck plenty of Halls! They don't do a lot but they'll help with the awful taste in your throat.

I did wonder about keeping my chest warm. I'm warm and toasty in my fleecy dressing gown .

Ah arse! You have explained my docs rational! No benilyn to stop the cough, powders to make me cough it all out! I coughed all night yet felt strangely better (if tired) this morning...

Hope you feel better soon Meglet!