How can you treat a chest infection/cough?

Infection etiology..: If the infection is due to a bacterial infection, antibiotics are typically prescribed. If the infection is due to a virus, it will run its course typically over a 1-2 week period. See your doctor so your infection can be diagnosed and treated. Sometimes a sputum culture is needed to make the diagnosis. A chest infection could be acute bronchitis or even pneumonia, which your doctor will determine.