There are different allergens, bacteria and fungi that can cause infections, resulting in chest congestion. You might find your kid or even your family member suffering from chest congestion at any point of time. Here are some symptoms of the problem:
  • Labored breathing
  • Difficulty in talking
  • Tightness in chest
  • Difficulty in swallowing
  • Deep and congested cough
The first thing you can do is trying an over-counter antihistamine. If there is no improvement in 30-40 minutes and the chest congestion symptoms continue to become worse, take the patient to an emergency room or urgent care center. At this point, you will see some more chest congestion symptoms:
  • Lips swelling
  • Thick feeling in tongue
  • More labored breathing
  • Difficulty in swallowing
Parents often find it tough to take decision on whether or not they should take the child to the emergency room, because every child can not exactly tell you what he is feeling. So, here are some signs parents should look for to get an idea when to seek emergency care:
  • A fever that you can feel.
  • By watching chest movements.
  • Congestion
    that is audible.
  • Blue color of fingernails and around the mouth.
  • Find out if the child is just nasally congested or the problem goes deeper.
Only a doctor can tell you about the infection, allergy, asthma or cold. Still you can hear the problem of the patient as the calmness is contagious. The moment patient will remain calm, you will hear some sound. Here are some other symptoms that will help you in assessing the congestion symptoms is a patient:
  • Touch the head of the patient to see if it's hot or warm.
  • Listen to nasal congestion or deep coughing congestion sound.
  • Find out if the patient is coughing up secretions.
  • See if there is any drainage.
  • Find out the color and consistency of the secretion.
If the cough is clear and thin then it is okay. But, the yellow to grey and thick colored cough needs attention to the problem. Consult the doctor and he will determine the antibiotic to be prescribed.

After the antibiotic is prescribed for chest congestion problem, carefully read the directions:
  • If the medicine is to be taken 3 times a day?
  • After every 6 hours?
  • Is the patient supposed to take the medicine with or without food?