Lung microbiome: new insights into the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases

Chest Infection Or 'silent Killer'? GP Issues Urgent Warning Over 4 Signs Your 'bug' Might Be More Sinister

CHEST infections are not out of the norm for this time of year - but sometimes the symptoms could be a sign of something more sinister.

The NHS estimates one in five people will get a cough this winter, with cold, flu and chest infections in high circulation.

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Chest infections can develop after having a cold or flu, and most the time clear up within a few weeksCredit: Getty

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A long-term chesty cough could be a sign of a more serious conditionCredit: Getty

A chesty cough that lingers with green or yellow phlegm can usually be attributed to a chest infection.

Other symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain and discomfort, aching muscles, a headache, tiredness, and a high temperature (38˚C or above).

Someone with a chest infection will typically feel unwell for up to 10 days and might need antibiotics, but they should normally begin to feel better after three weeks.

But GP Andy Whittamore, who's also clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, warned some people are mistakenly told they have a chest infection when their symptoms could be pointing to something potentially more serious.

Read more on winter illnesses

He explained: "A chest infection occurs most commonly when the lungs become infected with either a respiratory virus or a bacterial infection, and they are far more likely to occur in winter when flu and colds are rife.

"Sometimes people are mistakenly told they have a chest infection when, in fact, their symptoms are more aligned to an upper respiratory tract infection [infections of parts of the body involved in breathing]."

Dr Whittamore added the colder air also weakens the immune system and can trigger asthma attacks and flare-ups of other lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis.

He said: "In patients with asthma and COPD or other lung conditions, an exacerbation of symptoms might be misdiagnosed as a chest infection.

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"Equally, these patients might be displaying signs of an underlying lung condition that has not yet been picked up."

COPD is a common lung disease that causes restricted airflow and breathing problems, and it's often described as a 'silent killer' because most patients are asymptomatic in the early stages.

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There are four main symptoms to look out for:

Shortness of breath - this may only happen when exercising at first, and you may sometimes wake up at night feeling breathless

A persistent chesty cough with phlegm that doesn't go away

Frequent chest infections

Persistent wheezing

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition that causes the airways of the lungs to widen and thicken, making it difficult to move air in and out of the lungs.

Deadly pneumonia risk

In some cases a chest infection can develop into pneumonia, which may require hospital admission.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe.

Dr Whittamore advised: "Common symptoms of pneumonia are a cough, difficulty breathing, a high temperature, chest pain, and loss of appetite."

Most people get better in two to four weeks, but babies, older people and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill.

Chest infection or lung cancer?

Some symptoms of chest infections and lung cancer are similar, such as coughing and shortness of breath.

But one of the distinctive differences is someone with lung cancer may start to cough up blood, said Dr Whittamore.

Other signs that can accompany this are fatigue, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.

Dr Whittamore said: "The problem is that, initially at least, some of the symptoms of lung cancer can mimic other illnesses or infections but the best course of action is to speak to your GP if you are concerned about your breathing and other symptoms that don't improve.

"If you have a cough that has lasted for more than three weeks, then you should get checked as a matter of urgency. 

"It might be down to a simple infection, but it is essential to rule out other much more serious causes such as lung cancer, pneumonia, or a clot on the lung.

"If there is a possibility that you may have lung cancer, you will be referred for a chest X-ray and possibly a CT scan.

"The quicker lung cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options are then available."

The NHS in England is currently rolling out a lung cancer screening initiative called the Targeted Lung Health Check programme, where current and former smokers aged between 55 and 74 are invited for a lung check, specifically to rule out lung cancer.

For more information on chest infections or concerns about breathing, visit www.Asthmaandlung.Org.Uk or call the charity helpline on 0300 222 5800.

Further information on lung cancer is available from the NHS.

'Silent killer' chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - symptoms and causes

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that makes breathing increasingly more difficult.

It develops slowly over many years so you may not be aware you have it at first.

The main symptoms are:

shortness of breath - this may only happen when exercising at first, and you may sometimes wake up at night feeling breathless

a persistent chesty cough with phlegm that doesn't go away

frequent chest infections

persistent wheezing

Symptoms usually get gradually worse over time, but there may be periods when your symptoms get suddenly worse.

COPD is usually associated with long-term exposure to harmful substances, such as cigarette smoke.

Other causes include fumes and dust at work, air pollution, and if you smoke and have a close relative with the condition.

If you have persistent symptoms, particularly if you're over 35 and smoke or used to smoke, see a GP.

There's currently no cure for COPD, the sooner treatment begins, the less change there is of severe lung damage.

Source: NHS

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Cigarette smoke can increase your risk of developing COPDCredit: Getty

Queen Camilla To Miss Remembrance Events With Chest Infection, As Kate Makes Comeback

LONDON — Princess Kate will attend Remembrance Day events in London over the weekend, Buckingham Palace has said, but Queen Camilla will miss the occasion after falling ill with a chest infection.

Kate has slowly returned to public duties this year following treatment for cancer, and will attend both the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening as well as a Sunday service at the Cenotaph monument on Sunday. 

Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales depart Buckingham Palace in a horse drawn carriage in 2023.Max Mumby / Indigo / Getty Images

The events form part of the United Kingdom's Remembrance Day commemorations as the nation pays tribute to those whose lives were affected by World War I, and remembers those who died.

Kate's attendance marks another step forward in her recovery after chemotherapy. She made her first public appearance after treatment in September, attending a Sunday service at a church near the family's royal Balmoral estate in Scotland.

The Princess of Wales describes her 'scary' health journey in a new video message.Will Warr

King Charles, who is still receiving cancer treatment, has also returned to public duties since his diagnosis in February. He completed his first major foreign trip in October, which included a six-day tour of Australia alongside Camilla.

The King will lay a wreath of poppies at the base of the Cenotaph during Sunday's event.

Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Prince William and Princess Kate at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 5, 2023 in London.Chris Jackson / Getty Images file

Queen Camilla was forced to pull out of her public engagements last week after becoming unwell with a chest infection. Buckingham Palace said the Queen will "mark the occasion privately at home and hopes to return to public duties early next week."

Camilla's is the latest in a series of illnesses to hit the royal family this year.

Prince William said the past year has been "brutal" as his wife and father announced their diagnoses with cancer.

Camilla and Kate share a laugh during an official engagement in London in 2022.Max Mumby / Indigo / Getty Images file

"It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life," William told NBC News' international partner, Sky News, at the end of a weeklong tour in Cape Town, South Africa, for the fourth annual Earthshot Prize.

Neither Charles nor Kate has revealed what kind of cancer they were diagnosed with. Buckingham Palace said the king did not have prostate cancer.

Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in London on Nov. 12, 2023.Max Mumby/Indigo / Getty Images file

This article was originally posted on NBCNews.Com.

World News

LONDON (AP) — Queen Camilla will miss her third public engagement in two weeks as she recovers from a chest infection, Buckingham Palace said Friday.

Camilla, 77, was set to attend the annual Royal Variety performance with her husband, King Charles III, but her doctors suggested she not overstretch herself.

"Following a recent chest infection, the Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritize sufficient rest," the palace said. "With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight's Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned."

Camilla has been carefully returning to her duties after withdrawing from two events commemorating Britain's war dead earlier this month. The Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London is a major event for Britain's royals.

Charles and his daughter-in-law Kate, the Princess of Wales, attended the ceremony after both underwent treatment for cancer earlier this year.

Originally Published: November 22, 2024 at 11:33 AM PST

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