View Full Version : Chest infection
Hey everyone, Went to the doctors 2 weeks ago after i had been suffering with a bad chest and cough, he checked me out and said i had got a chest infection.
I still have the cough and from a dry cough it has now turned into a productive cough were i have been getting alot of phlegm up off my chest, at times when i cough my muscles around my abdomon and stomach hurt as if they have been strained.
I am a smoker and have smoked for 10 years i am 27 now, i am just worried it might be something more serious, i am scared about lung cancer, i keep finding myself inspecting anything i cough up looking for streaks of blood.
Dont know whether to go back to the doctors again and explain how im feeling.
Anxious_gal
21-10-08, 23:15
aw I think you will be ok, I've had a chest infection and still managed to smoke a little even though it hurt really bad. I worry all the time that smoking will kill me and I still smoke!
I think if your unable to smoke, use the chest infection as motivation to stop.
countrygirl
21-10-08, 23:18
I really hate to say the obvious as no doubt everyone has told you already - try very hard to stop smoking as health anxiety and smoking are not a good mix. You are still young enough to have no long term effects from you r smoking at present, but carry on and your lung cancer worry will be a very real threat.
If your bad chest hasn't cleared up a week after stopping antibiotics then it is worth going back to Dr and if you are really worried asking for a chest x ray- but your are so young that your Dr may not want to spend the cost of a chest x ray on someone who is almost certainly not suffering from lung cancer at present. The emphasis on the last two words in the hope it makes you stop smoking!
Sorry I watched my mother chain smoke all her life- making my asthma so much worse as a child and watched her die of cancer in her late 60's so I am a bit biased about smoking:whistles:
Thankyou both for replies, i am now trying to pack up, not had a cig for 24hours :D . Doctor did not give me any antibiotics too said it is caused by a virus.
Hi Jason - it's good that you're moving towards giving up smoking, for all the reasons that everyone else has said. Just wanted to say that viral chest infections can go on for ages. I had one a few years ago that lasted for months (viruses like to hold me down and give me a good kicking). As long as your doctor isn't worried and you're otherwise healthy and are giving up smoking then I don't think you need to worry - just ride out the virus. Try to look after yourself with nutritious food, gentle exercise and plenty of rest.
if your doctor said its just a chect infection im sure he's right.. i would quit smoking if i were you otherwise your always going to worry about this problem.. i got a big scare .. thats how i stopped smoking :scared15: they found somthing on my lungs :weep: turns out it was somthing harmless. thank god :noangel:
There are alot of viruses going round at the moment which are causing chest infections.
Jason quittingsmoking isnt easy make an appointment with your practice nurse hun who can help & support you with this. You may find it alot easier having some sort of nicotine replacement x
countrygirl
22-10-08, 11:20
Glad you didn't take offence at my post about stopping smoking - I was a bit worried after I had posted!
AS your Dr hasn't prescribed antibiotics and thinks its a virus then all you can do is watch and wait. I assume Dr told you that if you start to cough up nasty coloured stuff or suddenly get high temp and difficulty breating then get treatment.
Thanks for the replies, still off the fags, just keep thinking i hope the damage has not already been done and i already have it! still feeling quite crap will see how i am by the end of the week, if no better will go back to the docs.
Good luck to you jason just remembr you have our support! let us know how it goes :noangel:
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