why do i keep getting chest infections!?

Question

i had one in october, and have now go another. im on antibiotics steroids, and dont smoke. Im back at the docs on wed. I was given an inhaler after the first chest infection as i was wheezy 4 a while, but stopped needing it! Before i went to the docs this time, a was waking short of breath, and needed my inhaler regularly. My boyfriend doesnt think its serious, but i cant stop worrying. Anyone know what this could be. I got a peak flow meter with my inhaler, and its never been above 400, 250 in mornings. im 5"1

ive got a couple of cats, i havent told the doc, i really dont want it to be them. I was fine for like a month between chest infections, and im generally fine when im near them. they dont go upstairs.

Answer 1

Don't miss your doctors appointment on Wednesday. Staying on top of this and finding out the cause is the very best thing you can do for yourself.

It's great that you are on antibitotics and that you do not smoke. Make sure you drink plenty of fluid. Usually, with treatment of infections, the main symptoms, cough with sputum, breathlessness and pains in the chest, will improve gradually. Any worsening of symptoms is important, since it may indicate that the infection is spreading. You should inform your doctor if this happens. Blood tests, chest x-rays and analysis (culture) of the sputum are sometimes done, particularly in severe cases. This may help the doctor to change to a better antibiotic if the first course has not been as effective as expected.

It could be any number of problems causing you to have repeated lung infections. Don't leave anything out when talking to your health care provider, because they need to know your full history in order to properly diagnose your situation. People with asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and cystic fibrosis, are all more prone to lung infections. People with chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer are more likely to develop repeated chest infections. Some of the less common lung infections may come from the environment, in which we live or work. Legionnaires' disease a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria found in certain water supplies is an important example. Psittacosis is another type of lung infection due to a germ, which has been transferred from certain domestic birds. As you can see, there are many reasons for repeated chest infections and as I said before, your very best defense is to continue seeing your doctor for the proper diagnosis.

Many people do get over lung infections without consulting the doctor, and without treatment. However, if there are other illnesses present, or if the infection is causing serious symptoms, such as high fever, breathlessness or chest pains, it is advisable to seek medical advice.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

He may need steroids to rid of this infection once and for all. It doesn't just stop there I'm afraid. Cigarette smoke Dust Per hair Stress, (its not uncommon in a 4 yr old) These are factors and have to be ruled out. Also no feather pillows and or/quilts on the bed. Hoover once every 3 days to keep the bugs at bay, and if possible buy some hypo-allergenic sheet covers and pillow cases. After doing all that if it doesn't improve, I dont know. Maybe a referral to an Asthma clinic might help.

Answer 3

Your peak flow meter results are a sign of not so healthy lungs. You either have a lung infection or asthma. I'm an asthmatic and I've been on atibiotics, steroids, inhalers, nebulizers and I don't smoke. However, I don't have any animals in my house. So, my incidents with asthma aren't due to animals. I know that when I get a cold it usually turns into bronchitis and then my asthma gets worse...sometimes turning into pneumonia and spending a week in the hospital. I would definitely have an allergy test to rule out if the cause of your symptoms are from your cats or not. It could be dust or dust mites from your pillow. Since I've become an asthmatic, I have become cleaning conscious...getting rid of any irritants such as dust. First, check with your doctor as to your symptoms of shortness of breath...you could be asthmatic...and ask him/her if you should have an allergy test. This will tell you if you should keep your cats or not. Good luck.

Answer 4

Hi,
Ask for an allergy test. If you are using feather pillows and are allergic to them, that may be the problem.
Or, it just might be the fact, the infection you had in October never quite cleared.
As for the peak flow meter, there is a definite knack to blowing down it and as you develop the technique, things start looking better on that score. Try not to worry, I'm sure you and the doctor, will get the problem resolved...

" Happy New Year"to you!

Answer 5

It's impossible to diagnose asthma when you are suffering from a chest infection...it sounds much more likely that you suffered from bronchitis (chest infection with wheeziness) hence the treatment with antibiotic and steroids and either it never cleared 100% and with the cold weather has flared up again, or that you cleared it but it was so nasty that it left your immune system completely run down and unable to fight any other winter viruses you may have come across .

Answer 6

It sounds like you're an Asthmatic. I had exactly the same a couple of weeks ago and the Doc gave me a Peak Flow Meter too, and my readings were the same as yours. When you go back to the Doc's, ask him to listen to your Heart instead of your chest, he will be able to detect an underlying respiratory problem. In the meantime, keep using your Inhalers as instructed.

Answer 7

The only advice I would give is don't take too many antibiotics. I know someone who has continual chest infections as a result of taking antibiotics for the slightest cold. I would tell your doctor that you want a chest x-ray to put your mind at rest and if that is all clear just eat well and try to build up your natural immunity.

Answer 8

People that have reoccuring chest infections need further investigations fot Asthma and possible causes for it. Ive never suffered with it myself although I did have Asthma some time ago but thankfully hve grown out of it.


I think a chest xray should be done to see whats going on. Get a second opinion or asked to be referred.

Answer 9

You might be asthmatic, but you could also have some allergy. You should go to the doctors and have a skin test to find out if you have any allergies. My daughter is asthmatic and had a skin test and we found out that she is allergic to dogs,cats,birds and dustmites. To be on the safe side have this test done. Meanwhile when you clean your room furniture just use a damp cloth no sprays and you can buy anti allergy pillows and bed linen. It depends on your weight and height to see how much your peak flow should be and with children age is important.

Answer 10

The combination of antibiotics and steroids may be keeping you alive, but it also means your immune system has been switched off and you are on manual control. There's some underlying problem that doesn't go away. See if you can get your doctor to refer you to a specialist at the Brompton Hospital. They are the world experts in lung problems.