What should you know about flu and chest infection?

Flu is a viral illness that can cause fever, aches and a dry cough. A chest infection affects the breathing tubes or lung tissue and may cause a deeper cough, phlegm, wheezing or breathlessness. Acute Bronchitis is one possible cause, but symptoms can overlap with a Common Cold or other conditions. The colour of phlegm alone does not show whether antibiotics are needed.

A cough can linger after the initial infection because the airways remain irritated. Worsening breathlessness, new chest pain, or feeling markedly more unwell calls for assessment rather than watchful waiting.

Rest, drink fluids, and use fever or pain medicine only as directed and if it is suitable for you. Avoid smoking and keep the air around you as clear as possible. Cover coughs, wash hands and stay home while fever or significant symptoms continue. A GP Consultation can help distinguish an uncomplicated viral illness from a problem needing treatment.

Take antibiotics only when prescribed. Do not use someone else's medicine, and do not assume a nebuliser treatment is needed without clinical advice.

Seek urgent help for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, coughing blood, or persistent chest pain. Arrange prompt review if fever returns after improving, breathlessness is increasing, you are unable to keep fluids down, or a cough with phlegm is becoming more severe. People with significant long-term conditions should seek advice earlier when flu symptoms affect breathing.

Ask whether your symptoms fit flu, acute bronchitis or another chest problem, whether you need an examination or further testing, and which medicines are safe with your existing conditions. Clarify what change in breathing, fever or phlegm should prompt urgent review.