05/10/2026
Chest infections can be serious โ and prevention matters, especially as we head into colder months. ๐ซ๐
Chest infections affect the lungs or large airways. Common symptoms include a chesty cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, a high temperature, headaches, aching muscles and tiredness. Many improve within around 7โ10 days, although a cough can last for up to three weeks.
Respiratory illness also places significant pressure on the NHS. Respiratory disease accounts for around 700,000 hospital admissions and 6 million inpatient bed days each year, with demand often peaking during winter.
Damp and mould can affect your lungs too. Damp and mould in the home can increase the risk of respiratory infections and worsen conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and COPD. Government estimates linked damp and mould in English homes with around 8,500 lower respiratory infections in 2019.
Help reduce moisture at home by ventilating rooms, using extractor fans, avoiding drying clothes indoors where possible and dealing with leaks promptly. A dehumidifier can help remove excess moisture from the air, but it's also important to identify and address the underlying cause of damp or mould.
If you have a chest infection and feel very unwell, your symptoms are getting worse, you cough up blood, or you've had a cough for more than three weeks, contact your GP. You should also seek advice if you're pregnant, over 65, have a weakened immune system or have a long-term heart, lung or kidney condition.
Chest infection advice:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chest-infection/
