Dear All,

How many of you here get really bad chest infections. For the past 8 months i have had repeated chest infections and i have been really worried (and still am )about lung cancer as i know this is a symptom.

However, i saw a specialist yesterday and he tells me that because the sinuses in my nose are are wrecked, i am relying on my mouth to breath, especiually at night, and as such, my nose is not filtering pollutants which is causing the infections.

I am still not convinced - have any of you suffered like this??

Thanks, Stuart

Yes. We also are getting continuous sinus episodes. At least I am.
Why don't you try & see an ENT.

People with asthma who retain secretions will always be more predisposed to wicked-style lung infections.

I actually have anaged to do a good job at keeping them at bay for most of the year, but once allergy season rolls around, that's it, I'm on the floor.

I think repeated chest infections are actually pretty common with asthma thanks to all the 'gunk' that seems to accumulate in our lungs on a regular basis. If I pick up any kind of respiratory 'bug' it will transform itself into a chest infection within a few hours. Cold = lung infection = a week in the hospital. Doesn't matter if I double the inhaled steroid, start popping 50 mg of prednisone or bury my head in the sand, the result will be the same. I would probably do much better in a 'bubble' -- my children have suggested a giant hampster ball.

Barb

Hi Stuart (very Scottish name for a Welshman!)
I've had a lot of chest infections too in the last couple of years. I also do a lot of mouth breathing due to an unsuccessful op to straighten out the inside of my nose. My theory (for what it's worth) is that it's all due to a combination of climate change in the UK & a generations' overuse of antibiotics. The warmer climate allows the respiratory bugs to thrive & the antibiotics are less effective at killing them. Up here in Scotland it seems the majority of the population has suffered at least one chest infection this winter. Very often people seem to need more than one course of antibiotics to get rid of it too. If you're worried about lung cancer though, speak to your GP . He/she won't think your daft & will put your mind at rest I'm sure. All the best!

Thanks everyone - this forum is excellent !

Stuart,

I caught pneumonia in August 2001 (on my 25th bday!!) and was ill for literally 6 months due to repeated chest infections that followed the pneumonia. My asthma had gone mad as well. So yes, I think asthmatics are very prone to chest infections.

I also agree with the poster that said antibiotics are overused. The GP barely looks at you anymore...he just hands out the meds.

Take care and welcome to the boards!

Nic http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Before I got my asthma under control, Chest infections were a big problem.