How to recover from a chest infection as Queen forced to cancel engagements

Kate Ng
·Trending Lifestyle Reporter
Updated ·4-min read
Queen Camilla visits Moata'a village's aoga faifeau (pastor school / church school) to learn about the history and impact of these schools in villages in Samoa.
Queen Camilla has been forced to withdraw from royal engagements this week as she recovers from a chest infection. (Getty Images)

Queen Camilla is suffering from a chest infection that has forced her to withdraw from her planned engagements this week, Buckingham Palace has announced.

On Tuesday 5 November, a palace spokesperson said: "Her Majesty the Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest."

The spokesperson did not give any further details of her illness, but added that the Queen, 77, "very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events as normal". She will, however, miss the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday. The Duchess of Gloucester will attend in her place.

Chest infections can be nasty and unpleasant, but symptoms usually improve on their own in about seven to 10 days, says the NHS.

They are caused by an infection of the lungs or large airways. Some chest infections are mild and can clear up on their own. However, they can also become severe and life-threatening if they worsen and are not treated.

Young asian man was suffering from painful chest pain from a chronic disease.
A chest infection usually clears up on its own after seven to 10 days. (Getty Images)

The main symptoms of a chest infection include:

  • A chesty cough

  • Coughing up green or yellow mucus

  • Wheezing and shortness of breath

  • Chest pain or discomfort

  • A high temperature

  • A headache

  • Aching muscles

  • Tiredness

The NHS states that the coughing and mucus can last up to three weeks.

If you have a persistent cough that doesn’t improve after three weeks of having the infection, you should speak to your GP.

Senior woman suffers from sickness while holding cup of tea at home.
Drinking hot honey and lemon drinks can help with a chest infection. (Getty Images)

There are several things you can do to ease the symptoms of a chest infection on your own. The NHS recommends:

  • Getting plenty of rest

  • Drinking plenty of water to loosen the mucus and make it easier to cough up

  • Raise your head while sleeping to make breathing easier and clear your chest

  • Use painkillers to bring down a high temperature and ease headaches and muscle pain

  • Drink a hot lemon and honey drink to relieve a sore throat

You can also ask your pharmacist to recommend cough medicines to loosen the mucus in your lungs, which will make it easier to cough up and clear the infection.

You should stay away from smoking while recovering from a chest infection, as it can make your symptoms worse.

If you are treating a child with a chest infection, don’t let them breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water as this could risk scalding them.

You should also not give aspirin to children under the age of 16.

Beautiful brunette doctor talking to African American patient
If your chest infection doesn't clear up or your symptoms worsen, you should see your GP. (Getty Images)

You should see a doctor if:

  • You feel very unwell or your symptoms worsen

  • You cough up blood or blood-stained mucus

  • You have been coughing for more than three weeks

  • You’re pregnant

  • You’re over 65

  • You have a weakened immune system due to health conditions or medication

  • You have a long-term health condition

If you have severe symptoms, you may have pneumonia. Your GP may prescribe antibiotics if this is the case - you must make sure you complete the whole course as advised by the GP.

Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial chest infections and do not work for viral chest infections, like viral bronchitis. The latter usually clears up by itself after a few weeks.

Read more about health and wellness:

Latest stories