A pharmacist can help with a chest infection Your pharmacist can suggest decongestant treatments to help loosen the mucus in your lungs so it's easier to cough up. Coughing up the mucus helps clear the infection from your lungs.
You can ask a pharmacist about:
decongestants to loosen the mucus in your lungs – this will make it easier to cough up and help clear the infection from your lungs.
Most chest infections are mild and do not require any prescription medical treatment. However, some chest infections can be serious and require more extensive medical care.
Home remedies for chest infection
Take OTC medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to lower your fever and help relieve any aches and pains. Use OTC decongestants or expectorants to help loosen mucus and make it easier to cough up. Be sure to get plenty of rest. Drink lots of fluids.
Coughing actually helps you clear the infection more quickly by getting rid of the phlegm from your lungs. Antibiotics aren't recommended for many chest infections, because they only work if the infection is caused by bacteria, rather than a virus.
The symptoms of viral and bacterial chest infections are similar but the colour of any mucus coughed up may indicate the cause; white or clear mucus usually indicates a viral infection whereas green or yellow mucus suggests that the infection is bacterial.
"With a chest infection, you cough much more mucus up," agrees Coffey. "With a bacterial infection, this can be yellow, green, or a darker colour." If you cough up blood or rusty-coloured sputum, you should definitely see a doctor. "Patents may also experience chest pain, difficulty breathing or a rapid heart-rate."
Many chest infections aren't serious and get better within a few days or weeks. You won't usually need to see your GP, unless your symptoms suggest you have a more serious infection (see below). While you recover at home, you can improve your symptoms by: getting plenty of rest.
If your pneumonia isn't treated, the pleura can get swollen, creating a sharp pain when you breathe in. If you don't treat the swelling, the area between the pleura may fill with fluid, which is called a pleural effusion. If the fluid gets infected, it leads to a problem called empyema.
After 2 or 3 days, mucus may change to a white, yellow, or green color. This is normal and does not mean you need an antibiotic. Some symptoms, especially runny or stuffy nose and cough, can last for up to 10 to 14 days.
What antibiotics can a pharmacist prescribe? You can get antibiotics from your pharmacist for the following conditions: simple Urinary Tract Infection (Nitrofurantoin) Conjunctivitis (chloramphenicol)
Can pharmacists prescribe antibiotics? For the most part, pharmacists can only prescribe antibiotics if they are qualified as a PIP. 'Another circumstance that permits a pharmacist to prescribe antibiotics is if their patient is under a patient group direction (PGD),' says Abdeh.
Yes, there are antibiotics that you can get over the counter. These can be found at any local drug store or grocery store pharmacy. That said, only certain types of antibiotics, such as topical antibiotics, are available over the counter.
However, if you have other respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis or pneumonia with COVID-19, you may have a wet cough that contains mucus. Does coughing up mucus mean you're getting better? In most cases, coughing up mucus means your body is working to fight off an infection, and it is in the healing stages.
There are a number of chest infection symptoms that mean you should see a GP even if you do not have any other lung problems. If your symptoms get worse, you should look out for these warning signs. They include: If a fever, wheezing or headache becomes worse or severe.
Although chest infections aren't generally as contagious as other common infections, like flu, you can pass them on to others through coughing and sneezing. Therefore, it's important to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and to wash your hands regularly.
Mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home with rest, antibiotics (if it's likely be caused by a bacterial infection) and by drinking plenty of fluids. More severe cases may need hospital treatment.
Amoxycillin, or alternatively erythromycin, will usually be suitable. In any patient, of any age, with a lower respiratory infection, the presence of new focal chest signs should be treated as pneumonia and antibiotic therapy should not be delayed.
If you have coronavirus (COVID-19), you can spread the virus to other people for up to 10 days from when your infection starts. But many people will no longer be contagious to others after 5 days.
It can be easy to mistake symptoms of a cold, the flu, or bronchitis for COVID-19. This is especially tricky because the symptoms of COVID-19 can be mild. You won't be able to tell if COVID-19 is causing your symptoms without a lab test for the virus. Your doctor can help you know if you need a test.
your cough is severe or lasts longer than 3 weeks. you have a high temperature for more than 3 days – this may be a sign of flu or a more serious condition, such as pneumonia.
Do I need a prescription for antibiotics? In Australia, antibiotics need to be prescribed by a doctor.
Can amoxicillin be purchased over the counter? No, you cannot purchase amoxicillin over the counter. You need a prescription. To reduce the risk of developing drug resistance, your doctor or healthcare provider must be convinced that you need this medication before you can get it.