Chest injury

Your chest injury may be very painful for several weeks, but you must try to breathe deeply so that you fill your lungs with air at least once or twice a day.  This decreases your chances of getting pneumonia.

You should

• Keep moving around your home.
• Take tablets such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (both available from a chemist) to relieve the pain
• Take a few deep breaths at least once a day
• Cough if you need to.  Press firmly on the sore part of your chest if coughing hurts.

You should not:

• Lift things
• Stay in bed
• Smoke
• Strap or bind your ribs,  this can be harmful as it prevents deep breathing.

 Go to your nearest emergency department or walk in centre at once if:

·        You suddenly feel breathless during normal activity.

·        You cough up any blood