Respiratory infections
Here at The Coker Chest Clinic, we provide swift and effective evidence-based treatment for the full spectrum of respiratory infections, including long COVID.
Respiratory infections can include illnesses as non-serious as the common cold. However, at The Coker Chest Clinic, we often see patients with a wide range of chronic respiratory infections, where symptoms last longer than three weeks. Symptoms that may seem insignificant, like a cough, can actually indicate an underlying condition that needs medical attention. Those with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk as the body cannot fight off infections as adeptly.
Causes of respiratory infections
Respiratory infections are either viral, bacterial or fungal in nature. Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) are caused by pathogens from a virus, often transmitted via contact with an infected person or contaminated object, or via droplets (for example, from a cough or sneeze). Some of the more common ones we see in the clinic include:
- We are a long COVID clinic, specialising in effective long COVID treatment and recovery plans for complications of coronavirus.
- Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), also known as glandular fever. Many patients with EBV are chronic carriers who end up with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Some of the more common bacterial respiratory infections we treat include:
- Tuberculosis (TB), which is surprisingly common and can be fatal without the right treatment.
- Staphylococcus (staph infection), which left untreated can cause breathing problems and pneumonia, as well as damage to the heart.
- Streptococcus (strep), can affect both the upper and lower airways, causing nasal congestion, sinusitis, chest infections, pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia.
- Haemophilus influenzae, which can cause conditions like bronchitis, meningitis, pneumonia (lung infection) and epiglottitis (swelling of the throat).
We also treat fungal respiratory infections including aspergillosis. This is infection of the lungs caused by a fungus (usually from travelling to areas where the fungus is more common, or from living in a damp, mouldy house). The patient may cough up blood, have fever and chest pain.
Symptoms of respiratory infections
Respiratory infections generally affect either the upper (throat and nasal) or lower (lungs and airways) respiratory system. Signs of infection vary widely, but some of the most frequently reported symptoms in our patients are:
- Green phlegm
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
- Headache
- Body aches
- Breathlessness
- Temperature
- Stabbing chest pains
- Chronic fatigue
Thorough investigations allow us to provide swift and effective treatment so we help you feel like yourself again as quickly as possible.
Respiratory infection treatment
At The Coker Chest Clinic you’ll be examined by our respiratory physician, who will request the appropriate tests based on your symptoms. Investigations will usually consist of a sputum test, blood test, and may also include a CT scan.
Within two days you will be given a diagnosis that will be backed up with test results. This allows us to provide effective treatment the first time around. The specific treatment for respiratory infections will depend on the individual condition(s) and whether the cause is viral, bacterial or fungal.
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