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Original poster

Would you go to the doctors with a bad cough?

24 replies

mumof1littlebun · 30/12/2019 06:29

I’ve had a cough for about 10 days now. It is constant and I cough to the point of nearly being sick and cough up green gunk in the morning. From what I’ve read on the NHS website it seems that it will pass eventually? Will a doctor just tell me it’s viral?

OP posts:
joggingon · 30/12/2019 06:41

No

Livedandlearned · 30/12/2019 06:43

Take an expectorant. I don't think the doctor will help after ten days, a few weeks maybe.

frazzledasarock · 30/12/2019 06:44

Sounds like when my MIL had bronchitis. I’d stay in, keep warm and constantly sip warm drinks.

You could give your GP a ring and ask for a phone consultation if you’re very worried.

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isabellerossignol · 30/12/2019 06:44

Only you know how bad it is. Most of the time I've had a bad cough it has passed. But I've also had bronchitis and pneumonia in the past and both times the doctor was horrified that I didn't seek help much sooner.

WoollyFoolly · 30/12/2019 06:45

Yes but not after 10 days, 3 weeks I think is what's suggested.

Weffiepops · 30/12/2019 06:45

I'm susceptible to bronchitis and on a few occasions I've ignored a cough and later wished I'd just gone to to docs as antibiotics sort out bronchitis in a couple of days. I think you should go

Cookit · 30/12/2019 06:46

Only if it lasted more like 3 weeks + and could be something more sinister.

I don’t take my children to the doctors when they have bad coughs.

Roomba · 30/12/2019 06:48

I had this dilemma recently and didn't go for two weeks as I knew they'd just say 'it's a virus'. But then I developed tonsillitis and an ear infection too - they were happy to see me and prescribe antibiotics then but before that not much they could do. Don't all the adverts say to go if you've been coughing for three weeks?

Original poster
mumof1littlebun · 30/12/2019 06:49

Thanks everyone, that’s what I thought so will wait it out

OP posts:
Pimms0clock · 30/12/2019 07:28

We were following the 3 week advice with a parent who was in the same position you are in OP. Keep an eye on your temperature and if it goes up or you feel shivery / shaky seek medical help. In our case on day 10 of the cough their temp spiked so I called 111 and they were offered a hospital stay as they had pneumonia. Look after yourself.

DeathMetalMum · 30/12/2019 07:33

Just a cough? No. Rest and fluids. Maybe take an expectorant or seek advice from a pharmacy.

Bunbunbunny · 30/12/2019 07:34

Is it only in the morning you are coughing up the gunk? Might be worth getting a humidifier for your bedroom to help your lungs.

Original poster
mumof1littlebun · 30/12/2019 07:43

Yes only in the morning, not sure I can take an expectorant as pregnant?

OP posts:
ThighThighOfthigh · 30/12/2019 07:47

If it hurts your ribs to cough I've found kneeling on the sofa with your ribs on the arm helps. It supports your ribs.

EggysMom · 30/12/2019 07:50

After two weeks I'd be booking a GP appointment "in case" as I know I wouldn't get an appointment for at least another week! If I waited until three weeks to book, I could have the cough for four weeks before anything is diagnosed and treated. Just remember to cancel it more than two days ahead if the cough improves.

Isleepinahedgefund · 30/12/2019 08:07

As you’re pregnant and coughing up green gunk I would go to GP. Or go to the pharmacy and ask to speak to the pharmacist - they’ll either sell you something you can take to help the cough along or tell you to go to your GP.

custardbear · 30/12/2019 08:15

Chat to the pharmacist or ask for a phone appointment with your Gp for advice

Lat year I had a terrible cough which I went to the doctors as thought it was a chest infection (gunk, temperature etc) and he agreed and gave me antibiotics which did nothing - turned out to be whooping cough - that was the only time I really went to the doctors because it was 'different' to a normal cough I felt lousy

Santasleftboot · 30/12/2019 08:16

I'm a nurse - and I say go to the doctor now - particularly as you're coughing up green sputum. The doctor can listen to your chest etc or may want you to have a chest x-ray.

No point in waiting another week to see if you get pneumonia!

Chocolateteabag · 30/12/2019 08:57

DH had a similar cough - felt awful with it, finally got him to go to the GP and he was sent for a chest x-ray and AB's for infection/pleurisy

@mumof1littlebun

Go to the GP - it's been 3 weeks, you are coughing green sputum up, you don't want it to develop further

slartibarti · 30/12/2019 09:08

Depends.
I'd take my temperature a couple of times a day, if it stayed normal I'd assume it was a virus and wait/hope for it to get better.
If temp above 38C I'd panic and see GP as the only time I've had a temp in the past was just before I was diagnosed with pneumonia.

CuckooCuckooClock · 30/12/2019 09:12

I think you should go to the dr since you’re pregnant. I have a bad cough and feel shivery and sweaty and I’m waiting it out at home but if I was pregnant I’d go to the dr.

WoollyFoolly · 30/12/2019 09:54

Yep, change of plan as you're pregnant, I'd get it checked out earlier.

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 30/12/2019 09:59

After two weeks, yes, I would.

I had a chest infection this year and was sorry I didn't go earlier.

doxxed · 30/12/2019 10:05

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