how bad can a chest infection actually get ?

Answer 1

Speaking from experience, it can get really bad.

Last February, I had a bit of man flu which I thought nothing of. I dosed myself up and carried on. However, it got progressively worse. I ended up with what I thought was a chest infection, which in turn turned out to be empyema (fluid in the pleural cavity) and my lung had collapsed - which is bloody painful!
I had to be admitted to hospital on a high dependency ward, as I nearly pegged it. When there, I had 3 operations including 2 lots of chest drains, I was on very strong antibiotics through a drip, had to be catherised and was on morphine. This was very uncomfortable and very scary.
Anyway, after 4 months of chest drains, antibiotics, painkillers, physiotherapy, chest x-rays, I finally got the all clear. My lung reinflated through lots of exercise and physio. My ribs still feel odd now, but thats because of the nerve endings being affected by the operations, this should go soon.

So, it can get really bad. From someone who knows, don't risk it!

Answer 2

I had a bad chest infection last year and was also a mild asthmatic. I left the chest infection 2wks before I got it treated and it ended up lasting 2mths and I had 3 courses of antibiotics and 2 courses of steroids plus a steroid inhaler to beat it. I am now quite a lot worse with my asthma, when I used to use my inhaler once a week its now a few times a day. My lungs have been damaged by the infection. I was also lucky it didn't develop into pneumonia which could have killed me. My advice would be don't mess with your health its not worth it.

Answer 3

It can eventually progress to acute respiratory distress and you could end up on a ventilator and could possibly die. Please don't mess around with your health, if you have a chest infection go to your doctor and get some antibiotics. **take the entire course of antibiotics do not stop in the middle of the treatment as this can cause the bacteria to develop a resistance to the drug and lead to the above problem I explained.** Good luck.

Answer 4

In the elderly this can kill. But even in the healthiest person aged 25 a chest infection can be fatal. Bronchitis,pneumonia,pleurisy. All unpleasant illnesses which can all lead to DEATH. Hope thats bad enuff for you!!!

Answer 5

Bless your little center. Boil some water and breath interior the steam, this opens up your broncial tubes, so it will losen all of it, you will upload eucultptus oil (can not spell it)! additionally take ibruprofen as a thank you to ease the suffering. I undergo the equivalent so i comprehend the kind you think of. I probably take 2 paracetamol then 2 hours later 2 ibruprofen.

Answer 6

If left untreated it can return later in the coldr months as the climate drops. I would go see your local GP andhave them put you ona ventilator to clear your chest of any mucus. Also drinking warm tea without milk ( milk will make the mucus worse) , try herbal tea like camomile. I hope things hape up for you as I have had a similar problem int he past.

Answer 7

It can get pretty bad if you don't treat it. I get them several times a year, but I once had one that I thought would clear on its own. I thought it had, then when I woke up in the morning, all of the muscles in my neck, chest and shoulders had gone into spasm because of it and I couldn't move without being in absolute agony. Apparently that was because I didn't get it treated, and it was horrible! Just go and get some anti-biotics from your doctor.

Answer 8

A chest infection, left untreated is a very serious matter and could actually kill a person if their immune system was low;

Answer 9

very bad coughing green phlegm and finding difficulty breathing.you feel so ill that you havent got the strength to eat and drink. Go to the doctors Alexander Flemiings old remedy will do the trick.

Answer 10

You can permanantly damage your lungs and end up on inhalers for the rest of your life, you can end up in hospital and ultimately die, but if you are otherwise normally fit and well you should recover. Go get treatment if you need to.