How many chest infections is normal?

[BP135]

How many chest infections and/chesty coughs does everyone get per year? A bad year and a normal year. I know our lungs are a weak spot obviously for asthmatics but I have just felt so rubbish for most of the last 12 months. I had a break from it during our heat wave this summer and with the first lot of rain came another lower respiratory chest infection where I was coughing up blood and had a fever.

The doctor said I can have a spirometry test but only when my lungs feel back to normal...so haven't booked that yet. I've had a chest x-ray which came back clear.

I just feel really down thinking that this is my life now, constantly coughing up phlegm, not wanting to be out in public because my cough is so loud and disgusting.

Please tell me this isn't normal and it can be fixed?

[meadowbird]

Oh that sucks - I feel for you, having the exact same issue. How long have you had the cough for? I had similar 2 years ago, but I did actually recover so I'm sure there's hope on the horizon for us both. This time we were on our once in a lifetime OE in the US, and I was sick for most of the four weeks. Now 2 months after returning home, and a repeat of the bronchitis. The coughing is so violent I can't leave the house for fear of wetting my knickers in public - not usually a problem that's for sure! I hope your situation improves soon. Perhaps we both need to reboot our immune systems. I've been told to have zinc and vitamin c, and also to do garlic gargles. Am also doing nasal rinses to try and clear my PND, because I'm convinced that that is just pouring down my throat at night. Hang in there, and maybe ask your GP when you can expect some improvement. Are you on antibiotics?

[BP135 in reply to meadowbird]

Oh really? That makes me feel more hopeful! I'm 30 and I feel like I have the lungs of an 80 year old smoker some days, I'm really battling to try and keep fit because exercise makes me happy. I just can't accept that this is how it's going to be from now on.

I had another course of antibiotics for this most recent infection. My cough has gone for now but it usually goes with antibiotics and returns a week or two later so we will see...

[Paradigm]

I haven't had a chest infection in 6 year. Sorry to hear you are so unwell.

[BP135 in reply to Paradigm]

Thanks for the reply. I'm glad you are infection free. Long may it continue!

[KnPoa]

Sorry to hear! I normally get chest infections in the winter, which start with coughing up blood (it’s not a pleasant thing). last year my chest infection lasted from November to February, I had 7 different types of antibiotics and 8 rounds of steroids! Have you checked for allergies? That sometimes triggers my chest infections off.

[BP135]

7 different types? wow! Did you doctor ever do any tests?

I have quite a few allergies which do trigger my asthma but I've never thought of them triggering an infection. That's a good point, I'll have to try and be more aware of that.

Fingers crossed we both have a better winter this year.

[Hidden]

Hi BP135

Great that the chest x-ray was clear. It would be great to have a chat with one of our asthma nurses to talk it through, they can be reached on 0300 222 5800 (M-F, 9-5) or use the callback service to speak at a time that suits you: asthma.org.uk/advice/resour...

They'll be able to talk through next steps and your next visit to the GP.

Hope that helps,

Dita