Vaccinations

If you have had recurring episodes of acute bronchitis, or one or more episodes of pneumonia, your doctor may recommend that you have vaccinations for influenza (flu) and pneumococcal (a bacteria that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and infection of the blood).

The vaccination should help prevent you getting chest infections in the future. Vaccinations are usually recommended for the following:

• people over 65 years of age
• people with either chronic respiratory, heart, renal, or liver, conditions
• people with diabetes
• people with sickle-cell anaemia (an inherited blood disorder)
• people with conditions that affect the immune system, such as HIV
• children under five years of age

Hygiene

To reduce the risk of spreading bacteria to other people, make sure that you cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and that you wash your hands regularly. You should throw away any used tissues immediately.

Quitting smoking

If you are a smoker, the best thing you can do to prevent developing a chest infection is to stop. Smoking damages your lungs and weakens their defenses against infection.

Your doctor will be able to recommend and prescribe medication that can help you to quit smoking.

Alcohol

Excessive and prolonged alcohol misuse is known to weaken your lung’s natural defenses against infections (their immune response), making you more vulnerable to pneumonia

One study found that 45% of people who were admitted to hospital for pneumonia had an alcohol misuse problem. Alcohol misuse is defined as when a person drinks over the recommended weekly limit (21 units of alcohol for men, and 14 units of alcohol for women) on a long-term basis.

Not only does alcohol misuse increase your risk of developing pneumonia, it also increases your risk of it being more serious. It is estimated that people who misuse alcohol are three to seven times more likely to die from pneumonia compared with the population at large.

If you drink alcohol, you should not exceed the recommended daily limits (three to four units a day for men, and two to three units a day for women).

Contact your doctor if you are finding it difficult to moderate your drinking. Counselling services and medication are available to help you reduce your alcohol intake.

Diet

Eating a healthy diet is known to strengthen the immune system, making you less vulnerable to developing chest infections. A low fat, high fibre diet is recommended that includes whole grains and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day).

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3. Diagnosing adult chest infection
4. Symptoms and causes of adult chest infection
5. Chest infection in adults
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8. Alcohol Misuse Screening Tests