Chest infection or 'silent killer'? GP issues urgent warning over 4 signs your 'bug' might be more sinister

Today at 07:41 AM

HAVING a chest infection is not out of the norm for this time of year – but a GP has warned when it could be a sign of something more sinister.

It’s estimated around one in five people will get a cough this winter, with cold, flu and chest infections in high circulation.

A chesty cough that lingers with green or yellow phlegm can usually be attributed to a chest infection.

Other symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain and discomfort, aching muscles, a headache, tiredness, and a high temperature (38˚C or above)

Someone with a chest infection will typically feel unwell for up to 10 days and might need antibiotics, but they should normally begin to feel better after three weeks.

But GP Andy Whittamore, who’s also clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, warned some people are mistakenly told they have a chest infection, when it could be pointing to something potentially more serious.

He explained: “A chest infection occurs most commonly when the lungs become infected with either a respiratory virus or a bacterial infection, and they are far more likely to occur in winter when flu and colds are rife.”

But Dr Whittamore added the colder air also weakens the immune system and can trigger asthma attacks and flare-ups of other lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis.

COPD is a common lung disease that causes restricted airflow and breathing problems, and it’s often described as a ‘silent killer’ because most patients are asymptomatic in the early stages.

There are four main symptoms to look out for:

• shortness of breath – this may only happen when exercising at first, and you may sometimes wake up at night feeling breathless
• a persistent chesty cough with phlegm that doesn’t go away
• frequent chest infections
• persistent wheezing

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition that causes the airways of the lungs to widen and thicken, making it difficult to move air in and out of the lungs.

Dr Whittamore warned: “Sometimes people are mistakenly told they have a chest infection when, in fact, their symptoms are more aligned to an upper respiratory tract infection [infections of parts of the body involved in breathing].

“In patients with asthma and COPD or other lung conditions, an exacerbation of symptoms might be misdiagnosed as a chest infection.

“Equally, these patients might be displaying signs of an underlying lung condition that has not yet been picked up.”

Chest infections can develop into pneumonia

In some cases cases a chest infection can develop into pneumonia, which may require hospital admission.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe.

Dr Whittamore advised: “Common symptoms of pneumonia are a cough, difficulty breathing, a high temperature, chest pain, and loss of appetite."

Most people get better in two to four weeks, but babies, older people and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill.

Chest infection or lung cancer

Some symptoms of chest infections and lung cancer are similar, such as coughing and shortness of breath.

But one of the distinctive differences is someone with lung cancer may start to cough up blood, said Dr Whittamore.

Other signs that can accompany this are fatigue, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.

Dr Whittamore said: “The problem is that, initially at least, some of the symptoms of lung cancer can mimic other illnesses or infections but the best course of action is to speak to your GP if you are concerned about your breathing and other symptoms that don't improve.

“If you have a cough that has lasted for more than three weeks, then you should get checked as a matter of urgency. 

“It might be down to a simple infection, but it is essential to rule out other much more serious causes such as lung cancer, pneumonia, or a clot on the lung.

“If there is a possibility that you may have lung cancer, you will be referred for a chest X-ray and possibly a CT scan.

“The quicker lung cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options are then available.”

The NHS in England is currently rolling out a lung cancer screening initiative called the Targeted Lung Health Check programme, where current and former smokers aged between 55 and 74 are invited for a lung check, specifically to rule out lung cancer.

For more information on chest infections or concerns about breathing, visit www.asthmaandlung.org.uk or call the charity helpline on 0300 222 5800.

Further information on lung cancer is available from the NHS.