Chest infection

[68kitkat]

How do you tell the difference between a chest infection and just a cold, been on antibiotics 5 days and still feel awful

[sassy59]

Colds are viral so won't respond to antibiotics. A cold can end up being a bacterial infection/chest infection which will respond but if you still feel unwell in a day or so, see your doctor. Get well soon. Xxxx

[Hidden]

Generally with chest infections you cough up coloured gunk, but not always. I usually tell by the feeling in my chest and it being all clogged up and 'thick' feeling. The ab's should have kicked in by now so a visit to the doctor is on the cards I think. Maybe you need steroids as well as I know mine don't clear up otherwise and have more risk of returning. x

[Foxy79]

Hi just wanted to reply quickly about chest infection and cold it's easy to say how if you have cold you don't cough colours flame and get temperature feel more tired then normal mainly it's your sputum thick and colours yellow as infection is two kind as well virile and bacteria watch out for bacteria one it's dangerous chest pain colours thicker coughs loss of appattiet sleep if you have this symptoms more then 3 days go to A&E not to doctor unless you have rescue pack and it doesn't change on 4th day go to hospital as you will need different antibiotics and IVF that's my experience trust me I'm 36years old my lungs are worser then 💯 years old I have copd respiratory type 2 bronchitis asthma empysima I'm so much medicine and oxygen etc if you need any more advice pls ask thanks

[Gingerapple in reply to Foxy79]

Hi Foxy, how are you today? I have similar ailments as you. Do you use oxygen?

[joyce741]

I was told by a Doctor that clear mucus in the morning no infection.

yellow mucus means keep an eye on it if it changes to thick green sure sign of a start

green mucus is the start of an infection if not cleared by lunch time

green thick mucus all day is a definite sign of infection

[stillmovin in reply to joyce741]

Hi there just a note on mucus colour as it's been mentioned a few times regarding infection. I don't always have infections, I am just recovering from one at present, but my normal colour of phlegm is greenish. That has been so for about 6 years, when my symptoms of bronchiectasis really started to develop. When I checked with the consultant about why my mucus was always green and not clear, despite having an infection or not, he told me that everyone's own mucus colour is different and it is when your mucus changes colour from your normal colour to a darker one, and you have other symptoms of a cold or chest problems, then that is when you get help for an infection. So, the point is, green mucus does not automatically indicate an infection.

Xx

[Marie22 in reply to joyce741]

My mucus is clear so didn't start atibiotics soon enough, as I am now very poorly , I have an infection, and still clear mucus with lots of uncontrolled coughing.

[Gingerapple in reply to Marie22]

Hello Marie, are you feeling better now?

[Marie22 in reply to Gingerapple]

Hello ginger apple , how kind of you to ask. Had a good chat with Dr. And he has put me on Azithromycin, long term antibiotic. mon we'd and Friday, lots of clear mucus yesterday and felt rough, didn't stop me eating though, so can't be too bad, white ice cream lollies, are a god send, 2 day helps sooth the throat. Managed to get out for some fresh air and excersis today. Iam on lots of tablets and nebuliser , I have had green mucus other times, so, who can tell. Just go by gut or chest instinct. And get in quick.

Keep well Marie22

[joyce741]

I have COPD which is from yours