Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

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Pharmacist

A pharmacist can recommend cough medicines to loosen the mucus in your lungs. This will make the mucus easier to cough up and help clear the infection from your lungs.

Cough medicines are not suitable for children under 6 years old.

GP / 111

You have a chest infection and:

• You feel very unwell or your symptoms get worse
• You cough up blood or blood-stained mucus
• You've had a cough for more than 3 weeks
• You're pregnant
• You're over 65 years old
• Your immune system is weak – for example, you have a condition like diabetes or you're having chemotherapy
• You have a long-term health condition, such as a heart, lung or kidney condition
• You have chest pain that comes and goes, or happens when breathing or coughing
• You're feeling short of breath
• If you have not seen an improvement in your symptoms within 48-72 hours of starting antibiotics

• Symptoms of Sepsis (click here for more information)

• Symptoms get worse rapidly or significantly

• Feeling very breathless and unable to speak in full sentences (dyspnoea)

• Coughing up more than small dots or streaks of blood, or coughing up blood frequently (haemoptysis)

• Lips and/or tongue turning blue (cyanosis)

• New or worsening confusion and/or agitation

• Abnormal use of neck or other accessory muscles (e.g., shoulders, chest) to aid breathing

• Feeling of exhaustion while suffering with shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.
• Experiencing a persistent or spiking fever (above 38°C in most, 37.5°C in those with cancer or immunosuppression) that isn’t controlled with Paracetamol

• Experiencing chest pain, especially if it is sharp, worsens with breathing, or radiates to other areas

• Severe drowsiness, difficulty waking, or unresponsiveness

• Significant reduction in urine output, which could indicate dehydration or worsening systemic illness

If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the nearest Emergency Department as quickly and safely as possible. You may need to call 999 for an ambulance or consider alternative transport options, such as asking a friend or relative, or using a taxi or ride-sharing service.

Please note: Arriving by ambulance does not guarantee you will be seen sooner. All patients are assessed on arrival, and treatment is prioritized based on the urgency of their symptoms.

Recovery varies based on the severity of the illness, but the following timeline, based on NICE guidelines, outlines what is typically expected:

• 1 Week: Fever should resolve

• 4 Weeks: Chest pain and sputum production should significantly improve

• 6 Weeks: Cough and breathlessness should largely improve

• 3 Months: Most symptoms should resolve, but fatigue may persist

• 6 Months: Full recovery of all symptoms is expected

(Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - NICE Link here)

• Rest
• Drink adequate amounts of fluid (ideally water) to remain hydrated (adequate = not feeling thirsty.  Warm fluids, such as herbal teas or broths, may help soothe the throat and loosen mucus)
• Take simple analgesia (i.e. Paracetamol. Ibuprofen can also be used if appropriate, but it may not be suitable for everyone (e.g. those with certain stomach or kidney conditions). Check with a pharmacist if unsure)
• Honey – eat 1-2 teaspoons or mix it into tea or warm water (adult dose)
• Over the counter cough medicines –  evidence for their effectiveness is limited, but they may help reduce symptoms for some people. A pharmacist can recommend the most suitable option
• Avoid smoking, vaping and environmental irritants (avoid exposure to strong cleaning products, wood smoke, or other fumes that can irritate the lungs) 
• Inhaling steam can help loosen mucus and relieve congestion. Alternatively, saline nasal sprays or a humidifier can achieve similar effects with reduced risk 
• Wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth when coughing to prevent spreading the infection to others 

NHS UK - Respiratory Tract Infections 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-tract-infection/

NHS UK - Chest Infections

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chest-infection/

NHS UK - Pneumonia

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pneumonia/