Cough Contagious?

[lynbrown]

Last week, doc said I had a chest infection. Ive got tablets but its taking a while to clear up. Im now 79. When younger, colds etc cleared up in a week or so, now its at least a fortnight, is that down to age? Also, my husband is coughing too. Are chest infections contagious??

[jourdain2]

Certainly they can be infectious. Yes, it takes longer to get over things as you age.
Coughs like those due to asthma are not infectious.

[Prudie]

I don't want to jump in when I'm not a medic but this is my view. Yes it may partly be age that makes it take longer to clear up but I also think viruses have mutated since we were younger, plus not mixing for a long time with others during lockdowns has reduced our immunity to these type of infections in my opinion. If it makes you feel better I know a lot of younger adults at work who all seem to have had some kind of cold since last Autumn that is taking ages to clear, at least 2 weeks, and often has a lingering cough.
A chest infection caused by virus or bacteria is surely catching either through breathing or touching it. Obviously some people can get over it more quickly than others.

[Sqad]

Good answers by the two above posters.

[roopower]

My son (34) had a dreadful cough and then chest infection for which he had antibiotics. Even after the infection cleared up he had the cough for several more weeks. Some of them seem to cling on for ages.