Chest infection...bad night last night..very worried...please help

[GirlAfraid23]

So I have a chest infection and have antibiotics (amoxillian) to take 3 times a day.
Last night was particularly bad...I woke up 3 times during the night and each time I was wheezing quite loudly (loudly enough to wake me up)...then there was lots of phlegm being coughed up...but what's worrying is I had a sharp pain in my ribcage/chest (near the bottom) as I breathed in deeply. It as only relieved by coughing up more phlegm. Each time I laid back down I had the pain again and more coughing...so obviously very little sleep.

I've had chest infections before but never had pain when I breathe in...should I be concerned? Or go to a&e?

[Andrash]

So I have a chest infection and have antibiotics (amoxillian) to take 3 times a day.
Last night was particularly bad...I woke up 3 times during the night and each time I was wheezing quite loudly (loudly enough to wake me up)...then there was lots of phlegm being coughed up...but what's worrying is I had a sharp pain in my ribcage/chest (near the bottom) as I breathed in deeply. It as only relieved by coughing up more phlegm. Each time I laid back down I had the pain again and more coughing...so obviously very little sleep.

I've had chest infections before but never had pain when I breathe in...should I be concerned? Or go to a&e?

You have bronchitis. Your ribcage is irritated by constant coughing-hence the pain. The phlegm causes the wheezing sounds.

You're on antibiotics, they'll clear the infection and you'll be fine. Bear in mind that after chest infection coughing can last for weeks-don't let that scare you

[GirlAfraid23]

Thanks, although I'm not sure it's pain from coughing...that's why I was worried.

How many times a day can I do a steam inhalation?

[roxy90]

I have suffered awful chest infections in the past. Terrible cough, rattling, wheezing, zero sleep, breathing problems and terrible chest pain

Everytime i have had a chest infection I've had very very very bad pain when I breathed in. I assumed this was the norm. If you're on antibiotics then you will be fine.

[hanshan]

The quantity of phlegm indicates a bacterial infection (probably bronchitis).

Waking three times in the night is not too bad. Do you have a thermometer? If you wake much more frequently with a fever, it may be more serious, and you should go to a hospital.

I've had some horrible nights with both influenza and bronchitis, and always survived.

[GirlAfraid23]

The quantity of phlegm indicates a bacterial infection (probably bronchitis).

Waking three times in the night is not too bad. Do you have a thermometer? If you wake much more frequently with a fever, it may be more serious, and you should go to a hospital.

I've had some horrible nights with both influenza and bronchitis, and always survived.

I'm not waking up with a fever, I'm waking up because of the wheezing and coughing. I've had much worse feverish nights when I've had the flu.

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Does anybody know how many times a day I can do steam inhalation?

---------- Post added at 11:55 ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 ----------

Anybody?

[Fishmanpa]

I'm not waking up with a fever, I'm waking up because of the wheezing and coughing. I've had much worse feverish nights when I've had the flu.

---------- Post added at 10:17 ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 ----------

Does anybody know how many times a day I can do steam inhalation?

---------- Post added at 11:55 ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 ----------

Anybody?

Pick up the phone and call the doctor's office Hope you feel better soon!

Positive thoughts

[GirlAfraid23]

Thanks guys, I'm hoping tonight isn't as bad!

[Annie0904]

I would use the steam inhalation a couple of times a day. Maybe morning and night. It can't do you any harm.

[mummyanxious]

I had pleurisy and had sharp pains in my chest. How long have you been on the antibiotics?
You can steam as often as you like, no harm there and warm baths too.
I would probably go back to the dr if you don't feel you're getting better and you've been on the antibiotics a couple of days. We've got the weekend coming up so perhaps try to get in tonight just for your own peace of mind.