Would you see a doctor for this?

[SinkGirl]

My twins brought a nasty cough / cold back from nursery. I’ve had it for 9 or 10 days now. I thought I was getting over the worst but I have felt so ill the last two days, and a couple of days ago DH started with it too.

The cough is awful, my throat is raw, I’m coughing up all manner of disgusting gunk. My muscles everywhere hurt from coughing. Sometimes when I breathe in there’s a sound like Rice Krispies which feels like it’s in my throat, and a slight wheeze when I breathe out.

Normally I would never go to a doctor for something like this as I know there’s nothing they can do for a virus, but I’m wondering how you know when you actually have an infection that needs treating?

I’ve had a slightly raised temp for the last few days (just over 37.5) but nothing really high which is another reason I think it can’t be anything too awful.

Obviously it’s bank holiday weekend so seeing someone is far more difficult. Would you bother or just wait and see how it goes?

This is absolutely not saying what you should do, but if you're sure that the crackling/popping sounds are from your throat (basically from the phlegm - gross, sorry!) and not chest/lungs (pneumonia) I, personally, wouldn't rush to see the doctor. But you'd not be being silly if you feel that you should. I've often been told by my GP that I should have gone to see him sooner.

Thank you. I have other health issues that I have to see the doctor for semi-regularly (not anything related or that would be exacerbated by this) so I try not to ever go for anything else, especially things like bugs as since the twins started nursery we’ve had a bug most bloody weeks to be honest.

I just feel so awful. DH is in a bad way too, fortunately the boys seem to be over the worst of it but not thrilled about both of us being ill through DH’s time off work. Grr.

I’ll see how it goes today and call if it gets worse, otherwise I’ll hold on for when the doctors reopens on Tuesday.

I agree, it’s absolutely grim - never had anything like it