Chest Infection Treatment

You should consult a doctor for a chest infection if you experience any of the following:

• Cough lasting more than 7–10 days or getting worse.
• High fever (over 38°C) that doesn’t settle with medication.
• Breathlessness or wheezing, especially while resting.
• Coughing up yellow, green, or bloody mucus.
• Chest pain when breathing or coughing.
• Fatigue, dizziness, or confusion.
• If you have an existing condition like asthma, COPD, heart disease, or diabetes.
• If you’re an older adult, young child, or pregnant and feeling unwell.
• Symptoms returning after initially improving.

Common symptoms of chest infections are:

• Persistent cough
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Fever and chills
• Fatigue and body aches
• Loss of appetite
• Headache and sore throat
• Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)

Here’s a simple breakdown of the types of chest infections:

• Bronchitis
  • The most common type.
  • Involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes (the airways leading to your lungs).
  • Often caused by viruses, occasionally bacteria.
  • Symptoms: persistent cough, chest tightness, mild fever, and mucus production.
• Pneumonia
  • A more serious infection of the lung tissue itself.
  • Can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
  • Symptoms: high fever, chills, breathlessness, chest pain, fatigue, and thick mucus.
• Bronchiolitis
  • Common in babies and young children.
  • Involves inflammation of the small airways (bronchioles).
  • Caused mostly by viruses like RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).
• Tuberculosis (TB)
  • Less common in Australia but still occurs.
  • Caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • Symptoms: chronic cough, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue.

Common causes of chest infections are:

• Viral infections: The most common cause of chest infections like bronchitis and bronchiolitis, especially in colder months. Viruses such as influenza, RSV, and adenoviruses are frequent culprits.
• Bacterial infections: Can cause more serious chest infections like pneumonia.
• Weakened immune system: People with chronic illnesses, the elderly, infants, and those on immune-suppressing medications are at higher risk.
• Smoking: Damages lung tissues and impairs the airways’ natural defence, making infections more likely.
• Chronic respiratory conditions: Asthma, COPD, or cystic fibrosis increase susceptibility to infections.
• Exposure to pollutants: Dust, chemicals, and smoke irritate airways and lungs, raising infection risk.
• Close contact with infected people: Chest infections often spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing.

Yes, certain chest infections can be prevented, there are several effective ways to reduce your risk:

• Get vaccinated: Stay up to date with the flu vaccine, COVID-19 booster, and pneumococcal vaccine if recommended for your age or health condition.
• Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands regularly, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching shared surfaces.
• Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke.
• Stay active.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Manage chronic conditions.
• Avoid close contact with unwell people.
• Wear a mask in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.

While anyone can get a chest infection, certain groups are at higher risk of developing one, especially more severe or prolonged cases. Here’s who’s most vulnerable:

• Older adults (65+)
• Infants and young children
• People with chronic lung conditions
• Smokers
• Those with weakened immune systems
• People with chronic illnesses
• Unvaccinated individuals
• People exposed to pollutants or toxic fumes

Here’s a self-care guide to help manage a mild chest infection at home:

• Rest as much as possible to help your body fight the infection.
• Stay well-hydrated with water, warm soups, and herbal teas to loosen mucus.
• Use a humidifier or inhale steam from a bowl of hot water to ease chest congestion.
• Take over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage fever, body aches, and chest discomfort.
• Elevate your head while sleeping to reduce coughing at night.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol, as they can worsen symptoms and delay recovery.
• Eat light, nourishing meals rich in fruits, vegetables, and immune-boosting nutrients.
• Practise gentle breathing exercises to support lung function and ease tightness.

Access convenient online healthcare access with Hola Health in Australia, available 24/7 within minutes.

• On Hola Health website or app, access telehealth consultations and click on see a doctor now.
• Fill in your details and make the payment via a secure payment gateway.
• An online health practitioner will connect with you within 15 minutes.
• If the practitioners approve, you might receive a medical certificate or a referral via email or instant scripts via SMS.

You can easily request a medical certificate online through Hola Health’s 24/7 telehealth service in Australia. The process is simple, quick, and designed to fit around your schedule without the hassle of visiting a clinic. Here’s how it works:

• Visit the Hola Health website or app and choose the medical certificate option.
• Select the type of certificate you need, whether it’s for personal sick leave, university, school, carer’s leave, or a multi-day certificate.
• Fill in a secure, brief online form with your details, reason for the certificate, and payment information.
• A registered, AHPRA-accredited telehealth doctor will review your request, typically within 15 minutes.
• If clinically appropriate, the doctor will issue your medical certificate and send it directly to your email.
• You can forward the certificate to your employer, school, or university as needed, with certificates valid across Australia.

Online referrals are key to investigating your medical condition further. Hola Health offers online doctor referrals 24/7, within minutes. You can get:

• Pathology referrals
• Radiology referrals
• Specialist referrals
• Blood test referrals
• X-ray referrals.

Through Hola Health’s 24/7 telehealth services, we help patients manage their health conveniently from home, work, or while travelling. Here’s how we can support you:

• Instant online doctor consultations with AHPRA-registered Australian GPs for a range of everyday health concerns.
• Medical certificates online for work, school, university, or carer’s leave, issued within minutes.
• Fast, secure online scripts sent to your phone, ready to pick up at any local pharmacy or delivered to your door.
• GP referrals online for specialists, blood tests, pathology, radiology, and imaging.
• Bulk-billed mental health care plans to help you access Medicare-rebated psychologist and counselling sessions.
• After-hours telehealth appointments when regular clinics are closed.
• Online pharmacy delivery services bringing medications straight to your home for added convenience.

Instantly connect to a registered practitioner within 15 minutes from anywhere in Australia, 24/7 for:

• 24/7 Telehealth appointments in Australia
• Online scripts in Australia
• Valid medical certificates online
• Doctor referrals online