Chest Infections – What to Look Out For

Chest infections are a direct result of airborne viruses and bacteria. The onset of a chest infection begins when these germs are inhaled and once inside your body the infection spreads rapidly from the windpipe and into both large and small airways. Chest infections are a major concern, which becomes even more so as the disease can spread to any breathing passage you form with your nose, mouth, and lungs.

In this article, we will discuss three of the most common chest infections and their symptoms.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is of two variations. First is acute bronchitis that begins suddenly and clears rapidly. Secondly we have chronic bronchitis, which tends to recur frequently and sometimes can even last for several months. Often bronchitis is a direct result of viral infections, like flu or cold, and becomes a full scale chest infection when the infection takeover.

This infection causes bronchial tubes to narrow and swell, which causes difficulty in breathing. As for how bronchitis spreads, it does in the same manner as the common cold does. Inhaling infected air or making physical with individuals that are suffering from the disease may spread bronchitis.

Symptoms

A cough that produces yellow-green sputum is a strong sign of the bronchitis infection. Inflammation in the bronchi lining causes throat congestions and swelling to occur, which results in the patient experiencing shortness of breath and temperature.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation or infection in the lung tissues, with the potential to spread throughout the body. There are different variations of pneumonia, of which the most commonly occurring is bronchopneumonia, which spreads through bronchi in your lungs. Most cases of pneumonia, if not all, are due to the bacteria known as strepto-coccus pneumoniae, and spread through air.

Symptoms

Pneumonia, caused by bacterial infection, is known for rapid onset as well as development of severe symptoms in a matter of hours. This will soon be followed by cough that produces blood-coloured or rusty phlegm. Other symptoms include chest pains that worsen when inhaling, along with high fever, shortness of breath, confusion and even delirium.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis or TB is caused via an infecting agent known as mycobacterium tuberculosis. While this bacterium can attack any body part, it usually affects the lungs. About one-third of global population has been the target of this infectious agent, causing more fatalities relative to any agent. TB is spreads via air or from one individual to another through coughing.

Symptoms

Tuberculosis is a highly unpredictable disease, as it’s possible for an individual to get infected without displaying any symptoms. While a patient with clear signs of TB may or may not exhibit all the following symptoms: chronic coughs, feeling drained of energy, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats and coughing blood. If you didn’t notice, all the TB symptoms mentioned resemble that of an HIV infection. Fearing the social stigma, patients become reluctant to seek help. To give you some perspective, TB can be cured easily, but if ignored and left untreated, it can prove to be fatal.

Keep these chest infections and their symptoms in mind, as not only will it allow you to be proactive with getting medical attention, but also commencing treatment early on will return you back to being healthy before the infection gets too serious.

You can read more about chest infections at this helpful doctor-run website.