Stopping chest infection

[Petebsl]

I have had chest infection 3 times this year. I was given change of antibotics and that helped. What is the best ways to stop that coming back ?

[Kerrieblue]

Oh gosh, wouldn't we all like to know the answer to that one!!

A lot will depend on your particular lung problem and circumstances, whether you smoke etc. Did you send in sputum for culture and did anything show up?

All you can do is avoid anyone who has an infection, wash hands frequently, take any prescription meds as instructed, eat well, exercise as much as you can, use cold and flu blocker, and keep your fingers crossed!

Good luck!

[Petebsl in reply to Kerrieblue]

O

[soulsaver]

Sounds trite - but avoid catching colds is the only approach. For a start:

Eat healthily, get BMI ideal, get exercise, good hygiene .. if you're in the UK or Eire or Northern Europe... move to a better climate

[y_not]

I look forward to the best answer ... it's been 8 hours since I reached for the emergency meds!

[Loraine121 in reply to y_not]

Oh not so good , take care

[Hidden in reply to y_not]

Y Not. Just out of interest . . what are your emergency meds?

[y_not in reply to Hidden]

Doxycycline & Prednisolone - 7 day supply. Unusually (for me) I did the sensible thing and, having just taken the third dose I have finally got out of bed feeling a lot better (sore lungs, banging head etc but still better).

Usually, I attempt at "working from home" (an option for me) and spend 12 hours in from of a PC until my brain is fried, the waste basket is full of tissues and I've managed to spill water everywhere whilst taking tablets ... and two weeks later I'm still moaning about being poorly!

Without the Emer.Meds I would have managed to get to see a Dr today and started the course probably this evening! Worth having them for times like this

[kiracleo]

Try Echinacea, it won't harm you although you could enquire about it. I take it and very rarely get a chest infection. In fact I have to return my emergency packs back to the pharmacy because the use by date is up. Ask at a health food shop. Good luck.

[Loraine121 in reply to kiracleo]

Hi what is it and is it easy to get hold of ,

[kiracleo in reply to Loraine121]

You can buy it in health shops such as Holland and Barrett's, online and pharmacies. It's called echinacea. Discuss it with a health care person or pharmacist. I swear by it. You can get it in drops or tablets. Hope it helps.

[Lyd12 in reply to kiracleo]

Do you take echinacea every day, or when you have a cold?

[kiracleo in reply to Lyd12]

You can get the one a day tablet. You take it everyday for 8 weeks then leave for 2 weeks and just continue like that all the time. It's a natural remedy used by the native Americans.

[Lyd12 in reply to kiracleo]

Thanks for that, I will look out for the one a day type, sounds helpful.

[kiracleo in reply to Lyd12]

Don't forget to check first.

[Lyd12 in reply to kiracleo]

I will, thanks.

[Nottobad in reply to kiracleo]

I can't take them as I have a few autoimmune disorders. I would check with your GP before taking any suplaments.

[y_not in reply to Nottobad]

Thanks for that comment, I was thinking "oh, this sounds like an option@ then read your comment and thought "Hum, Methotrexate" (suppresses the immune system). Definitely need to check first but I will still enquire ahead of my bull-in-a-china-shop approach!

[Nottobad in reply to y_not]

The thing I hate the most is having to stop taking my medication for my autoimmune disorders when I have to take antibiotics as I seem to be taking a lot of antibiotics at the moment.

[Loraine121]

Hi , i dont think there is , exept fallowing physio breathing techniques to help you clear your lungs , and hibernation in the winter lol.

[teenieleek]

Wish I knew the answer to that one. Apart from moving to somewhere warmer I have done everything recommended and still have had at least six infections this year. I have not had a single cold but the bugs that have taken up residence in me (haemophilus and streptococcus) just will not stay dead after antibiotics. I am nervous about tempting fate but since I came off Seretide and had co-amoxiclav for the last one I have had sixteen weeks (not that I'm counting or anything!) free of infection. It's maybe just coincidence but it might be a good idea to change inhalers occasionally - give the lungs a wee surprise - "oh, what's this coming down the tubes?Better behave for a while".

[Pam1952]

I've only had 2 chest infections in 8 years, so I'm either very lucky or doing something right (for a change 😂). Diet, exercise, BMI, hygiene, Vicks First Defence, Cold and Flu Block etc. The only thing that I would add is that I have several cups of lemon, raw honey and ginger every day. Honey is a natural antibiotic and ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory. Works for me! 😊😊😊

[soulsaver]

This year seems worse than last - I used no recue meds 2015 - no winter colds 2015/16 but I'm my third lot of steroids since June this year.