Drink Fluids

• While you have a chest cold, drink plenty of fluids. Water, broths, juices, and warm decaffeinated tea with honey will keep you hydrated, help reduce fever, soothe your sore throat, break up mucus within your chest and flush toxins from your body. Avoid caffeine products and alcoholic beverages, both of which can worsen dehydration.
  
  

Rest

• Rest is important when fighting a chest cold because it gives your body's immune system a chance to combat the virus. Do not overextend yourself while sick; this can worsen your symptoms. Remain at home for at least the first three days of your illness, or until your coughing and fever ease.
  
  

Humidifiers and Steam Treatments

• Humidifiers are great for dealing with chest colds. The moist vapors they release can help break up the mucus in your chest. Sit in a room with a humidifier running for at least 30 minutes at a time and breathe normally. Use the humidifier at least twice a day. Add a drop of eucalyptus oil to the humidifier water to improve this chest cold treatment. The eucalyptus vapors help open up the airways in your lungs.
  
  If you do not have a humidifier, try using your shower. Run a hot shower in your bathroom and let the steam build up. Make sure the bathroom door is closed tightly; you do not want any steam to escape. Once the steam has filled the room, turn the shower off. Sit down and breathe in the steam for 15 to 20 minutes.
  
  

Medications

• Over-the-counter medications may help relieve chest cold symptoms but will not lessen the length of time it will take you to recover. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce fever, aches and pains. A decongestant may help relieve coughing. If you are treating a child with a chest cold, consult with your pediatrician before giving any cough or cold medications.
  
  Be sure to let your health care provider know if you cough up bloody mucus, if you have trouble breathing, or if your chest cold lasts for more than three weeks.