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?

Flu is proper shit. We are on week 2 of it in our house. It's like one step forward 2 steps back with getting better.

I would give the doctor a ring if you don’t start feeling better.

I had flu about 3 years ago - but tbh felt like I just had a heavy cold . Everyone told me it wasn’t flu if I could get out of bed etc but in reality I had 6 children including a newborn at the time and so staying in bed wasn’t really option.

If this makes me sound like some sort of super flu fighter it shouldn’t- I was doing great ignoring it right up until the point I collapsed at home then again at the reception desk of the our of hours doctor (walked in handed over 5 week old baby collapsed on floor in entrance way )

Turns out it was “real” flu which I suppose becauE of my extreme neglect had developed into pneumonia and sepsis. Many wonderful nights in hospital followed.

Moral : it’s better to seek medical advice if there is any doubt...

Are all the people saying you don't see a GP for flu / just ride it out, actual trained medical professionals? I did a shift on Saturday. 3 patients with flu, only 1 having another medical issue which made him more at risk, the other 2 mid 30's healthy and no issues. All 3 on Tamiflu, IV Fluids, oxygen and IV antibiotics. 2 that needed r/v by ICU and 1 that ended up in HDU by 1pm.

Can people please not give out advice unless they actually know what they are talking about? OP you are an adult, you can decide if or when you need to see a GP and the GP can then decide if you need any additional treatment.

Hi op, I hope you are feeling better. I had flu extremely badly a few years ago. I couldn't have even used my phone. I could barely open my eyes and was unconscious practically for the first 3-5 days. Took me a month to recover. I did go to the gp because I developed a secondary infection in my sinuses after about a week which was what was causing my teeth to be very painful. I also developed a chest infection after that. I received antibiotics. Flu can be very dangerous for some individuals and if you have any pre existing health conditions like asthma or think you are getting worse you are very much supposed to ring primary health care services. Hopefully you'll come through the other end without too much more suffering.

I came on to say the same as mrsryangosling.

I work in ITU and we often have previously healthy people on multiorgan support due to flu.

If you feel you need medical help, then don’t be put off asking for it.

It’s rare, but flue can kill.

Of course you can seek medical advice with flu, yes most cases are 'mild' and treatable at home but there are also complications which need more treatment than paracetamol.

I had flu in January and on phoning the equivalent to 111 for advice (I was in another country), I was told to head straight to A and E. I had developed a very high temperature and just felt unwell all of a sudden. I've had flu before, including swine flu, so knew it knocked you out but this was something else. I was prescribed steroid inhalers and an astmha inhaler (I'm not astmhatic but my body was having some weird reaction to the virus). It took many weeks to fully recover. My mum caught it from me and developed pneumonia, she was initially refusing to see s doctor as it was 'just' the flu but it was lucky she did as she was very poorly with it.

Hope you feel better soon but maybe call 111 or ask get down to a local walk in clinic or something?

It’s rare, but flu can kill.

Yes, it killed my stepsister. She waited 14 days then went to A&E and she died within 24 hours, of sepsis. She was not particularly old and had no pre-existing conditions.

OP if you feel you need to see a doctor then please do.

Sorry OP,there is really not much that a doctor can do for ''flu. Your GP's surgery won't appreciate you taking 'flu germs into their surgery,and a doctor won't come out to a 'flu patient unless they're at risk (e.g. elderly,very young,or have another illness that compromises their immune system).
As a previous poster said,5 days is nothing. When I've had full blown 'flu,I've felt like shit for 7 days,easily,then another week feeling not very good,then another 2 weeks feeling under the weather. 'Flu can lay you low for several weeks.

Did you get the flu Jab, op? I know it's not 100% effective so wondering if your symptoms would be slightly milder having had the jab?

Hope u feel better soon.

Definitely call 111, OOH or your GP - they will say if you need to be s

I had flu 2 years ago - which developed into Pneumonia and then Sepsis. I went down hill very quickly over 3-4 days and ended up in ICU with iv antibiotics for over 2 weeks
DH had wanted to take me to OOH - I kept refusing as I didn't want to risk infecting anyone else in the waiting areas (& felt too awful to move). He kept calling 111 and the OOH GP every few hours over those days as I got worse and worse. Eventually they sent a first responder who very quickly called an ambulance!

How are you OP?