Chest Infection on Holiday
“I have a bad cough that won’t go away” and “my chest feels heavy” are common complaints doctor hear from travelers on holiday. While traveling is a time to relax and explore new cultures, having a chest infection can turn your plans upside down. It can leave you feeling exhausted and unable to fully enjoy your time away.
This article explores what a chest infection is, how to recognize its symptoms, and what you can do to ease your discomfort while on holiday.
How do you know if you have a chest infection or bronchitis?
“Chest infection” or “chest cold” is a term that refers to acute bronchitis. This is when your lungs’ airways swell and produce mucus, which causes coughing and breathing difficulties.
Chest infections are temporary and can go away on their own. They usually occur after an upper respiratory tract infection, like the common cold.
Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that causes your lungs’ airways to become inflamed. It can develop if you have asthma, smoke, or live in an area with high air pollution levels. It is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and doctors associate it with.
What does a bad chest infection feel like? (symptoms)
One of the most common symptoms of a chest infection is a cough. It is usually dry at first, but it can occur with sputum later on.
You may have other chest infection symptoms, such as:
- Chest congestion
- Chest discomfort
- Wheezing
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
How do you know if you have a chest infection or bronchitis?
Bronchitis can be acute (known as chest infection) or chronic, and both can make you cough up phlegm.
- Acute: It comes on quickly and is caused by a virus. Symptoms take less than three weeks to disappear. A cough can take longer to go away.
- Chronic: It is a long-term respiratory condition that develops over time. Symptoms, like coughing and shortness of breath may last for two years or more.
How do you get rid of a chest infection?
Chest infection treatment aims to manage your symptoms, like coughing or sore throat. Keep on reading to learn more about this.
How long do chest infections last?
Chest infections take up to three weeks to go away, but your cough may linger for up to eight weeks.
You may not need any treatment, but your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medications to help manage your cough and pain.
If your child has a chest infection, seek medical advice before starting any treatment, as some medications can cause serious complications, such as liver damage.
How do you get rid of a chest infection in 24 hours?
Unfortunately you can’t get rid of a chest infection in 24 hours. You can do the following though to help manage your symptoms and feel better quickly:
- Resting and avoiding physical exertion
- Staying hydrated
- Using a humidifier to lossen congestion and help you breathe better
- Drinking warm liquids, such as tea
- Sleeping with your head elevated
- Gargling with salt water to reduce irritation
I can’t stop coughing up phlegm - What can I do?
Expectorants, such as guaifenesin, are medications that thin the mucus to help relieve chest congestion. This drug is available over-the-counter in the United States and it comes as a tablet and liquid medication.
Home remedies can also help you get rid of phlegm. These include:
- Placing a warm washcloth on your face
- Spitting phlegm instead of swallowing it
- Applying a saline nasal spray
- Applying eucalyptus oil to your diffuser or warm bath
- Avoiding alcohol and caffeine consumption
We were on holidays with our 2 year old toddler and needed an antibiotic for her chest infection. We couldn’t make it into Rome are were able to book an online appointment with Dr. Puccetti through Doctorsa. It was such an easy process whereby we put in all of our details and they contacted local doctors for an online appointment. We got an appointment within a few minutes for that day. Dr. Puccetti was very easy to deal with and sent forward a prescription for an antibiotic within a few minutes. Would definitely recommend particularly for the ease of use, the quick response, and the availability of English speaking doctors.
How can you treat a chest infection?
A chest infection can go away without any treatment. However, your physician may recommend taking honey, throat lozenges, or cough drops to help ease the cough.
The viruses or bacteria that cause chest colds are contagious. This means that you should wash your hands regularly, get vaccinated, and avoid touching your face.
Pain medications, like acetaminophen may also help. You shouldn’t take antihistamines, as these can worsen your cough.
Is a hot shower good for chest congestion?
Yes, a hot shower can relieve chest congestion. The steam from the hot shower helps loosen the mucus build-up in your airways, making it easier for your body to get rid of it. It also helps clear your congested nose and reduce the heavy feeling on your chest.
Breathe in the steam while you shower. You can also close the bathroom door to trap the steam in as if you’re in a sauna.
Should I go to the doctor for a chest infection?
Home remedies can help manage chest infection symptoms, but you should see a doctor if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Having a cough with wheezing, chest pain, fever, unexpected weight loss, and breathing difficulties
- Having a lung or heart condition
- Having a cough that hasn’t resolved after three weeks
- Haven’t been vaccinated against influenza or pneumonia
- Being over 75 years of age
Having chest cold symptoms while on vacation? Book an appointment with an English-speaking doctor through Doctorsa without leaving your hotel room.
When to worry about chest congestion?
Chest congestion can usually resolve on its own, but there are times when it may indicate a more serious condition. You should be concerned if:
- You have chest discomfort or chest tightness
- You are coughing up blood
- Your symptoms aren’t responding to treatment.
Chest congestion is when you have mucus build-up in your lungs and bronchi, which are the lower breathing tubes. It causes a productive cough, and you may also have wheezing as you inhale and exhale.
Chest congestion can help your physician with diagnosis, as it can indicate that you have other medical conditions, like a chest cold or COPD.
How do I tell if a cold is turning into pneumonia?
Symptoms of pneumonia include.
- A high fever
- A fast heartbeat
- A cough with yellow, green, or bloody sputum
- Breathlessness
- Reduced appetite
- Chest pain
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can develop from viruses, bacteria, or fungi. It causes inflammation of your air sacs, which may have fluid build up, making you more likely to cough up phlegm or experience breathing problems or chills.
Can I get a prescription without seeing a doctor?
Yes, you can’t get a prescription without seeing a doctor in person via an online consultation.
Simply use a telehealth service like Doctorsa. Submit your request, and within minutes, you’ll be connected to a local licensed doctor via video call. If necessary, the doctor can issue an e-prescription, which you can conveniently fill at a nearby pharmacy.
Doctorsa Online Doctor
If you hear a loved one saying “my chest hurts when I cough” or “I’m struggling to clear my chest” while you’re on holiday, you can schedule a doctor’s appointment through Doctorsa.
Doctorsa is an online platform that accepts booking for urgent care visits and prescription refill services.
On average, this is around EUR 25 and also includes prescription services.
All Doctorsa’s doctors speak English fluently. They are all vetted during the hiring process, ensuring that they can treat both local and international patients.
How to get immediate care with an online doctor appointment via Doctorsa
How to get immediate care with an online doctor appointment via Doctorsa:
- Step 1: Fill out a quick intake form. Choose the service you’re looking for – urgent care, same-day appointments, or prescription refill. Choose whether you are booking the visit for yourself, another adult, or your child.
- Step 2: Pick your doctor. You can choose between a primary care doctor or a specialist. If you’re not sure, go with the primary care option. After booking, you will receive appointment options from Doctorsa’s doctors. You can compare prices, read reviews, and then choose what works best for you. Pay online with your credit card or insurance.
- Step 3: Connect with your doctor. Online visits are available 24/7, just a few minutes after booking has been done. You will then receive your prescription via email. You can message your doctor with follow-up questions for free within 7 days.
Your doctor will also let you know if you need further examinations or tests in-person and how you can go about it.
Local clinic Vs Online Doctor
Finding a local clinic when you’re far from home can be difficult, and even more so if there’s a language barrier. Locating an available doctor who understands you might feel like a stroke of luck, especially when local health facilities may not accept card payments.
With online consultations, you can connect with a doctor from the comfort of your hotel room. You’ll receive your prescription via email and pay online, making the process seamless and hassle-free.
Payments are handled online, and you’ll benefit from a free 7-day follow-up for any additional questions or concerns.
Plus, you can use your insurance for payment. If you’re uninsured, there’s no need to worry—Doctorsa offers affordable fees, often cheaper than local in-person medical services.
Other ways to see a doctor for a chest infection
If your conditions require medical attention and you’re far from your doctor, you can choose different options to help you get the right treatment right away without wasting too much time while you’re on holiday.
Using your travel insurance
While travel insurance can be a lifesaver for serious medical issues, it might not be the easiest route for minor ailments like a UTI. Even with coverage, you could end up paying a high deductible before the insurance kicks in—sometimes as much as €75. Plus, insurance companies often use confusing jargon like “deductible” and “co-pay,” making it hard to understand what you’re actually covered for. You might also be assigned a doctor without knowing their quality of care, wait times, or service fairness. For minor issues, what you save in money, you might spend in time and stress.
Asking your Airbnb host or concierge
While asking your Airbnb host or hotel concierge for a local doctor recommendation might seem like a good idea, it’s not always the best option.
They may know local doctors who cater to travelers, but these recommendations can sometimes be influenced by kickbacks, which can lead to higher consultation costs.
Try asking for different options. If only one is provided, there’s a good chance it’s tied to a kickback, which means you should independently verify the doctor’s qualifications. Otherwise, you risk falling into a tourist trap.
Unfortunately reading online reviews and call clinics to check if the staff speaks English can be time-consuming.
With Doctorsa, you can receive affordable care online or even request a hotel visit in some locations, with transparent pricing and vetted doctors so there are no surprises.
Conclusions
Dealing with a chest infection while on holiday can be frustrating. Most of the time, it caused by a viral infection, and it can go away on its own without medical intervention. Drinking water and taking over-the-counter medications can help ease your symptoms.
If you need to see a doctor, you don’t need to waste your time looking for a walk-in clinic that accepts bookings from non-residents. Doctorsa has been created with tourists like you in mind – nothing complicated.
Book a consultation at any time of day, even on Christmas Day – Affordable medical care for tourists and business travelers.
