How can I prevent chest infections?

If you smoke, stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do to prevent chest infections. Smoking harms your lungs and makes it harder for you to fight infections. 

Ask your GP, nurse, or pharmacist for help to quit smoking. You can also read our advice about how to quit smoking.

Chest infections are passed on through coughing and sneezing. To help avoid spreading a chest infection or catching one, you should: 

• wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap
• clean the most used surfaces in your home regularly, such as door handles, keyboards and screens
• covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. Try to use disposable tissues and throw them in the bin after using them. You can also cough and sneeze into the bend of your elbow.  

Getting vaccinated can help you avoid chest infections. If you can:

• get your flu jab every year 
• get the pneumonia vaccine 
• get the COVID-19 vaccine
• get the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.

Eating a balanced diet can help to strengthen your immune system. This can lower your risk of getting a chest infection.

Read more about eating well with a lung condition, including why it’s important to take vitamin D during autumn and winter.

If you drink alcohol, drinking too much over a long period of time can weaken your lungs. This means you’re more likely to get a chest infection. Alcohol can also trigger your asthma.

The NHS recommend drinking less than 14 units spread throughout a week.  You can use Alcohol Change UK’s unit calculator to see how many units are in your drinks.