When should I go to the doctor for a chest infection?

When should I go to the doctor for a chest infection?

See a GP if you have a chest infection and: you feel very unwell or your symptoms get worse. you cough up blood or blood-stained mucus. you’ve had a cough for more than 3 weeks.

Can a bacterial chest infection be treated with antibiotics?

Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial chest infections. They’re not used for treating viral chest infections, such as flu or viral bronchitis, because they don’t work for this type of infection.

When to go to the hospital for a chest infection?

Many mild chest infections will resolve on their own in about a week’s time. A chest infection that’s caused by bacteria will need to be treated with a course of antibiotics. Severe or complicated chest infections may require treatment in a hospital.

What causes the symptoms of a chest infection?

The symptoms of a chest infection can include: What causes a chest infection? A chest infection can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. The exact cause will depend on the type of infection. For example, bronchitis is often caused by a virus, whereas most cases of pneumonia are bacterial in origin.

What happens if you discontinue penicillin for chest infection?

If you discontinue the treatment before the end of the actual prescribed course, there is also a chance that the bacteria will develop a resistance to this antibiotic. Point to be noted – if a patient is allergic to penicillin, there is a good chance that you might be allergic to amoxicillin as well.

Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial chest infections. They’re not used for treating viral chest infections, such as flu or viral bronchitis, because they don’t work for this type of infection.

Many mild chest infections will resolve on their own in about a week’s time. A chest infection that’s caused by bacteria will need to be treated with a course of antibiotics. Severe or complicated chest infections may require treatment in a hospital.

If you discontinue the treatment before the end of the actual prescribed course, there is also a chance that the bacteria will develop a resistance to this antibiotic. Point to be noted – if a patient is allergic to penicillin, there is a good chance that you might be allergic to amoxicillin as well.

The symptoms of a chest infection can include: What causes a chest infection? A chest infection can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. The exact cause will depend on the type of infection. For example, bronchitis is often caused by a virus, whereas most cases of pneumonia are bacterial in origin.