Chest infection and cough: Home remedies to ease the pain

If you’ve ever had a chest infection, you know what that unmistakably thick and heavy feeling in your chest means. You might be coughing up phlegm, be short of breath and feel downright rubbish.

Chest infections often develop from a viral infection like a cold or flu, or from a bacterial infection when the lungs or airways become inflamed or infected. It affects your lower respiratory system, which includes your windpipe, bronchi and lungs.

Bupa GP Dr Janice Tan says chest infections are relatively common in Australia, affecting people of all ages.

“Young children, the elderly, smokers, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions may be more susceptible to chest infections,” explains Dr Tan. “People who work in crowded or higher risk environments like nursing homes or hospitals may also have an increased risk.”

Bronchitis and pneumonia are common types of chest infections.

Bronchitis typically affects the bronchial tubes (airways) and can be viral or bacterial.

Pneumonia affects the lung tissue itself and is often more serious, caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Not all coughs are chest infections.

“A viral infection may often start in your upper respiratory system, including your nose, mouth and throat,” explains Dr Tan. “If the virus spreads to your lower respiratory tract, it can become a chest infection.”

"It's often hard to tell the difference between a chest infection and an upper respiratory tract infection," explains Dr Tan.

"A chest infection usually presents with a deeper chesty cough with or without phlegm. You might also feel sicker with a chest infection as you might get fevers and feel short of breath."

Common symptoms of a chest infection include:

• chesty cough, with or without mucus or phlegm
• wheezing
• fast breathing
• fever
• feeling short of breath
• discomfort in your chest
• headache
• muscle aches and pains
• fatigue.

"If your chest infection is worsening or does not get better, you should see your GP," says Dr Tan.

To ensure you're getting the right treatment your GP might:

• take a swab of your nose or throat
• do a blood test
• suggest you have a chest X-ray.

If you have a cough for longer than 3 weeks, you should see your GP.

Some chest infections are bacterial and some are viral.

Antibiotics only work on bacterial chest infections. If you're prescribed antibiotics, you should always complete the course, even if you start to feel better.

"While antibiotics will not work on viral chest infections, they will often get better on their own with time and rest with the help of some home remedies," says Dr Tan.

If your chest infection is viral, there are things you can do at home to ease the symptoms.

Natural chest infection remedies include:

• drinking plenty of fluids. This may help to loosen mucus, making it easier to cough up and get rid of.
• using a humidifier or sitting in a steamy shower. Warm steam may help open up and moisturise your respiratory passages. This may help to thin out any mucus, making it easier to cough up.
• sleeping propped up. Lying flat can cause mucus to settle in your chest. This can make you cough and feel uncomfortable. Using some extra pillows to prop up your head and chest can help avoid this.
• taking paracetamol or ibuprofen. This may help reduce any fever and pain.
• using expectorants. These may clear mucus from your air passages. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a good over-the-counter option.
• avoiding cough suppressants. While constant coughing can be annoying, a cough suppressant isn't helpful for a chest infection. Coughing helps you to get over your infection through clearing mucus from your lungs.
• drinking honey and lemon. This won't help the infection itself, but it can soothe a sore throat after lots of coughing.
• avoiding smoking or being around those who smoke. Smoke can irritate your respiratory system.

Chest infections can be contagious. You can catch a chest infection by breathing in respiratory droplets from someone else who has a chest infection; this can happen if they cough or sneeze near you.

These droplets can also contaminate surfaces; if you touch a surface that has respiratory droplets on it, then touch your mouth or face, you could catch the infection.

To reduce your risk of catching a chest infection or passing it on, you should:

• wash your hands with soap after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose and put tissues in the rubbish bin straight away
• cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• stop smoking and avoid being around people who smoke
• stay at home if you feel unwell.

There isn't a vaccine against chest infections, but getting vaccinated against other illness may reduce your risk of chest infections and help to protect those around you.

Annual flu shots are recommended for anyone over 6 months old.

Your GP might also recommend getting the pneumococcal and/or whooping cough vaccine, particularly if you're in a vulnerable group.

Depending on your age and risk factors, it may also be recommended you have a COVID-19 booster vaccine.

"Most chest infections will clear up on their own with rest, fluids and care, but if your symptoms get worse or linger, don't hesitate to see your GP," says Dr Tan. "It's always better to check in early than wait too long."

"Consider taking a break from work and/or social activities to allow your body to fight off the infection and recover."

Healthdirect provides free health advice and information. Visit their website or call them on 1800 022 222.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has advice on available vaccines, and who is eligible for free vaccination programs.