What we know so far about Queen’s chest infection

The Queen has been forced to call it quits and is resting at home after being diagnosed with a lung infection.

Chest infections—infections of the lungs or large airways—are common, especially after a cold or flu in the fall and winter.

Most chest infections are mild and go away on their own, but others can be severe and sometimes even life-threatening.

The most common symptoms of a respiratory tract infection include a persistent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, fever, coughing up phlegm, rapid heartbeat, and chest pain or tightness.

To relieve symptoms, people are advised to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids.

They may also use painkillers to relieve headaches, muscle pain, and reduce fever.

Home remedies may also include sleeping with extra pillows to make breathing easier and drinking a hot drink with lemon and honey to soothe a sore throat.

It is believed that 77-year-old Camilla is under medical supervision.

The main types of respiratory tract infections are bronchitis and pneumonia.

According to NHS Inform, most cases of bronchitis are caused by viruses, while most cases of pneumonia are caused by bacteria.

If the Queen is diagnosed with a bacterial chest infection, she will be treated with antibiotics.

These drugs work by killing bacteria.

Antibiotics may be given with or without steroids, which help open the airways in the lungs and make breathing easier.

Antibiotics are not recommended for viral chest infections. But people with viral chest infections may be prescribed steroids.

A number of groups may be at higher risk of developing serious chest infections, including infants and very young children, children with developmental problems, overweight people, older adults, pregnant women, people who smoke, and people with long-term health problems. conditions.

Queen Camilla used to be a heavy smoker – a habit her husband Charles hated – but she quit many years ago.