Queen Camilla has been forced to cancel her Royal duties after becoming ill, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. The Queen was set to attend the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey this Thursday, but her place will now be taken by the Duchess of Gloucester while she recovers from a chest infection.
Camilla will also miss out on a reception honouring Olympic and Paralympic heroes at Buckingham Palace, an event that King Charles is hosting.
While chest infections are common – especially in the winter months – it appears few of us actually knows what causes them. According to a physician, who took to Reddit to explain the health phenomenon, the answer to that question is not as straightforward as you might think.
The advice came in response to a post where a user had sought advice as to whether they had a bacterial chest infection or pneumonia. The physician said: “‘Bacterial chest infection’ really isn’t a diagnosis – it’s more of a description.
“Bacteria can infect your lung themselves (pneumonia) or your airways (bacterial bronchitis). To complicate things there are viral and non-infectious causes of both.”
A ‘chest infection’ is a catch-all term that encompasses a range of illnesses, including pneumonia, as it can be triggered by various factors. Nurse Rob, a health expert on TikTok, explained: “A chest infection is just what the name sounds like. […] It could be bacterial, could be viral […] it’s an infection in the chest.”
According to the NHS, chest infections often develop after a cold or flu and are typically mild, resolving on their own within seven to 10 days.
However, in some instances, they can be severe or even life-threatening. Common symptoms of a chest infection include a chesty cough, possibly with green or yellow mucus; wheezing and shortness of breath; chest pain or discomfort; a high temperature; headache; aching muscles; and fatigue.
Treatment for chest infections will vary depending on the underlying cause. For viral chest infections, such as viral bronchitis, antibiotics are ineffective, and the condition usually clears up on its own within a few weeks.
If the chest infection is bacterial, like pneumonia, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. It is essential to complete the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve before finishing treatment.
