Anyone had antibiotics for a covid19 cough?

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

...and if so did it help?

My cough’s been quite bad for 5 weeks - if it wasn’t covid I’d be at the GP by now to see if they thought I needed ABs (in my experience it’s what I’ve needed to shift long-standing coughs in the past).

But i can’t get an appointment with my GP and NHS 111 has been chaos and I don’t know if i am wasting everyone’s timing trying to get seen.

[dementedpixie]

They would only help if you had a bacterial infection. Antibiotics don't work on viruses. The cough can last for a few weeks

[Bobbinsmama]

I think you can end up with a bacterial infection after the virus as this happened to my MIL and she was treated with antibiotics.

[CherryValanc]

No it wont help. The cough can last though.

If you think you've got a secondary infection though, it could be bacterial the antibiotics would help then.

[riveted1]

One sign of a secondary (bacterial) infection would be coughing up yellow/green mucus, are you having anything like that? As others have said the CV cough can unfortunately last for weeks :/

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I’ve had ABs for a viral cough that turned into a secondary infection a number of times - every time a doctor has thought it necessary to prescribe them it’s blitzed the cough within a day or two.

Bobbins - do you know how your MIL ended up with ABs - was it because she was acutely ill or for persistent symptoms?

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

This is the thing - normal a cough like this after over 5 weeks would have me at the GP but they’re refusing to see anyone with CV-related symptoms and the NHS 111 triage doesn’t seem set up to deal with mild-but-persistent symptoms.

@riveted1 yes lots of mucus coming up, mostly creamy-yellow

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

My mums has abs it’s helped. She’s a frontline nurse. Tested positive two weeks ago. Gp gave antibiotics a week ago and they helped

[Casino218]

I would seek help your GP should be taking calls to ring you back. Covid or not don't put up with it for weeks. I had a Covid cough and it didn't last that long.

[Tangledyarn]

Had antibiotics didnt really help, but it's not uncommon to develop a secondary bacterial infection so worth a try if its lingering.

[SheldonSaysSo1]

I had two courses and they definitely helped. It isn't beyond the realms of possibility that you now have an infection too.

[WrongKindOfFace]

One sign of a secondary (bacterial) infection would be coughing up yellow/green mucus, are you having anything like that?

That’s a myth. Coloured mucus can also be a virus.

OP, are there no other ways to contact the GP? No online or video call consultations?

[Bobbinsmama]

I’m not sure, she was quite unwell but not hospitalised. I think she was prescribed them 2-3 weeks after symptoms started?

[peajotter]

A friend had AB for a cough a week after likely Coronavirus, nhs 111 said it was likely a secondary infection and it cleared up quickly