Advice? Chest infection for just over two weeks. I have asthma,and allergies. I work with animals and in a workplace with asbestos.

[numon]

Ignored a cough and those general chest infection complaints for a week before getting rushed into hospital as I could not catch my breath and was coughing constantly. They put it down to an asthma attack and chest infection and sent me home with antibiotics. I've been having asthma attacks since then but not as bad. My inhalers are barely helping and I have finished my antibiotics a few days ago and I just seem to be getting worse. I can't sleep or lie down because it results in coughing fits and shortness of breath. Also, I am/ was a smoker but not been able to since becoming ill and have taken it as the time to quit. I smoked for 2 years, 10 a day.

[Puffthemagicdragon]

I wished I had only smoked for 2 years as I expect I wouldn't have this emphysema now. Best advice is what you have given yourself. Give up smoking. Do they supply masks as you are in an area with asbestos ?

[numon]

no they don't. It's not even in any risk assessments. I found out about it through a colleague who discovered it on her own with no mention of it from the bosses.

[Hidden]

I believe it is only if asbestos is disturbed it is dangerous ie in building works etc. It is safe otherwise. x

[numon in reply to Hidden]

I have heard that. Although we have a barn where the hay bales and wood shavings are kept. They are on high shelves and disturbs the roof when you move things around. Normally results in dust raining down on you. Not sure whether this would be the asbestos being disturbed though.

[huggs]

It sounds like your chest infection has not improved and you need a different antibiotic, and possibly a short course of steroids to get this cleared up properly. I know only too well all about coughing and shortness of breath. I had to learn to sleep propped up on 5 pillows, which is not what we are use to doing, but it is surprising how it helps. You don't say if the asthma is newly diagnosed or if you have had it for a while. You should have a preventative inhaler (brown) and a blue one to relieve asthma attacks. Sometimes when you have a severe chest infection you need more antibiotics and steroids, which will clear it up in no time. First thing in the morning I would phone your health centre and ask for an urgent appointment. If you get any worse in the meantime then you should go to an urgent care centre or walk in centre(not sure what they are called), as you may need nebulised. If you have just been diagnosed with asthma then it takes a couple of weeks for the preventative inhaler to work and you will just have to work with the blue one. Take care and get help in the morning. Good luck. hugs xx

[Colours23]

Get out of there with asbestos ,your lungs will be finished,and it's ok for animals to be with asbestos ,disgusting.report them.

[peege]

You need to get further investigations ASAP.

The correct help/treatment from now on will determine your future health and quality of life.

Don't do what many of us have done in ignoring symptoms and 'putting up'!

You absolutely must wear a mask at work - particularly if you are asthmatic. You must protect yourself. Look up aspergillosis, a fungal spore you absolutely do not need. Sorry to be a scare monger but knowledge is power in lung health.

Re the infection, go back to doc immediately. If Amoxicillin was the last one then insist on another one. Just say you'd rather not risk having to come back again (which you must if a second one doesn't work).

Wishing you good luck and best wishes xxx

[Offcut]

You need to know what asbestos it is and when it was put in. It does seem that when in a fixed and undisturbed it is ok but if the fibres are becoming airborne it is not!

hse.gov.uk/asbestos/

I had a very severe lung infection/failure in 2008 and was asked all the time had I been in contact with asbestos. I was under the impression that what I was working with was safe! I found out a few years back it was not and I was cutting this on a circular saw with no masks or filters for 10 years. I have since mentioned this and been met with a wall of obstructive attitude as if they have been told to divert away from asbestos?

Go back to your doctor and tell them that the AB are not working also mention your worries of working in a building with what could be asbestos dust. Under NICE rules you should be seen by a specialist.

Be Well

[kirsty72]

Get legal advice!! Your employers are being very very naughty!!!

[Dragonmum]

Yes, quit the smokes please, but go into the asbestos thing more thoroughly - it sounds very iffy to me and could, in fact, be in breach of Health and Safety laws - you really need to ascertain what type of asbestos it is. It's easy to say get another job - not so easy to find one; in the meantime use a mask, may not be comfortable but very necessary.

[onamission]

I would say you are at more risk from the asbestos than the animals hair giving you a bad chest. They found a wall of asbestos at the local hospital and they have done nothing even though they have been advised to get rid of it