Flu - when to see a GP?

[BalancingStick]

I've got proper flu - can't get out of bed, everything aches (even my teeth ), blocked nose, painful ears, the worst chesty cough I've ever had... Its been 5 days and I feel beyond awful. When do I make a GP appt? My DH could take me (if I can even get an appt). I'm maxing out on Lemsip Cold & Flu which does help a bit but I'm wondering how long the suffering has to go on for before I can see a doctor? Should also add that I'm not normally one to want medication - never take paracetamol, had two children sans pain relief... but this has floored me. Any advice?

You dont. There's nothing a GP can do.

Sorry OP. Just stay in bed and in a few more days it should pass. Be prepared to feel weak for a further week or more

There's really no point in seeing a doctor for flu. lt's viral and there's nothing they can do. All you'll achieve is passing it on to everyone you come across in the waiting room. Lots of fluids, paracetamol, and rest. You're doing the right thing.
l've had a viral thing for a couple of months now, the only reason l saw a doctor was because it was causing me horrendous vertigo and nausea. l also had painful ears (it seems to be part of this bug that's doing the rounds just now.) lf you have the dizziness/nausea thing they can give you something for that, but unfortunately it won't make the actual 'flu' thing go any quicker. l hope you feel better soon!

of course you can call your g.p. especially if you have a nasty chesty cough, you could have an infection which needs treating. don't just sit it out, call 111 if you want some medical advice, they can help you, no point in suffering. hope you feel better soon.

Yeah, as above- you don't go. It's viral and, therefore, is not cured by antibiotics. Paracetamol and ibuprofen, hot drinks (ditch the lemsip if taking paracetamol) and plenty of rest. It's vile but it will pass. Hope you feel better soon

Doctors cannot treat flu

Pay for a flu jab next year though!

doctors are the ones who can advise and diagnose you, it's not always viral, I developed a very bad chest infection.

Paracetamol works a treat for flu OP. Brings your temperature down so you don’t feel quite as bad. Your doctor will be and if you tell him/her you want an appointment but admit you’ve not even had paracetamol.

That is what I'm thinking - what if it's not viral. I'm sitting here waiting for it to pass - what if it doesn't? How long do I leave it? If I felt just a glimmer of improvement I'd probably be ok - but it has been 5 days of awfulness. Worst illness I've ever had.

Maybe I'll just call 111 to see what they think

I have had paracetamol- I said I'm taking max dose of lemsip cold and flu, which contains paracetamol

I have seen the gp for bad flu. They might visit you at home. I was prescribed tamiflu, so the gp can help.

Are you going to need a sick note for work?

Don't make the mistake I did of knowing it was flu, going over the 7 days of self cert, not seeing my GP and then getting in trouble at work as I hadn't been signed off by my GP.

When I had flu I was horrendous like you for a full week, then another week of feeling slightly less awful but still pretty much bed bound as I was so weak. Hope you feel better soon, but I agree with PP no point in going to GP

Lemsip contains paracetomol, OP has been taking it regularly.

It's normal for flu to last one to two weeks. If you're really concerned call 111, but please, if possible, try to avoid taking your flu virus into the GP surgery, or anywhere at all where other people are.

I've only just got over this virus - it took 7 weeks and I'm still not 100%.

Sorry OP but 5 days is nothing.

Day/Night Nurse, lemon&honey in hot water, steam inhalation, vapour rub, hot toddy.
Anything to make you more comfortable but the GP won't be able to do anything - even if it is bacterial they're reluctant to prescribe antibiotics.

Sleeping propped up with a humidifier helped me, plus taking codeine based painkillers to ease the cough.
Covonia throat spray is excellent for numbing sore throats and dequidin (?) lozenges for some relief also.

It's the pits. Hope you feel better soon.

Good quality olive oil, warmed up in the microwave and put in the ear is amazing for earache too for some reason.

I called the GP twice when I had the flu as I was worried about how shite I felt (this was either side of the part where I was delirious in bed for several days barely able to get to the loo). He just said there was nothing he could do and just to do the normal rest and drink water plus some chicken broth for the sodium. Sorry OP it is shit bt you just have to ride it out. Unless your chest gets very painful and you think you might have an infection.

when you cannot breathe for coughing and start coughing up stuff that looks like chopped liver. DD and DH made me go then!
The GP sucked his breath in when I said I had flu, but sucked it in a lot more when he took my temperature and listened to my chest, he even said "you do sound a bit rattley" before brandishing the stethoscope at arm's length
I got giant horse tablet type antibiotics! And started to feel much better within 24 hours.

You could add in some ibuprofen in between times of the paracetamol if you feel feverish and achey.

I have asthma, so a flu is dangerous for me as it will lead to a chest infection (requiring antibiotics) and has in the past lead to pneumonia.
In an otherwise healthy adult, I think the advice is to try to ride it out. Our GP surgery has the option of requesting a phone call back from the GP. So if yours has the same, you could do that tomorrow, to see what your GP advises in terms of needing to go in or not.
Then the following morning we have to ring at 8am in order to get a same day appointment, (very limited). To make an appointment, takes 10 days to 2 weeks.

Honestly it's truly shit op . My parents took me to the OOH doctor when I was 3-4 weeks in with gastric flu, aged 20. Before that I was vomiting, feverish and delerious. I'm terrified of getting that ill again (especially now with dependents), flu jab every year now!

If you're coughing and chesty perhaps you could get the GP to call you back? They may be able to prescribe something someone else can collect.

7 weeks?!! I have a great and very understanding employer but I think even they will raise an eyebrow if I'm off that long! I feel guilty phoning in sick for a day. I'm never sick usually - I feel so miserable

Your teeth might hurt because your sinuses have become infected, any yellow/green snot