Would you go to the Drs?

[Bemyclementine]

I seem to have had one illness after another fir the past few months. Covid, strep A, sone other viral infection where I lost my voice for 10 days D & V.

After the last infection, 2 courses of antibiotics abd an inhaler, the cough never properly went away. This week I've started coughing more again, with a crackle to my breathing- it started off cracking just on a really deep breath, for example when I was going to yawn. Now though, I can feel and hear it on normal breaths, coughing to the point of gagging, followed by a long crackly whirring sound.

I dont actually feel ill (but am shattered from it keeping me awake.)

My Drs are pretty good with appointments, I just don't want to waste their time

Go and see them. Its sounds like you need checking over and your lungs listening to. And take some Vit d and zinc and c, they will help to build your immune system back up

@Bemyclementine my H had exactly this and had a chest infection. He was put on antibiotics at the Acute Unit.

You need that chest listening to, you wouldn’t be wasting their time.

Thank you. I do take vitamin D, I started it maybe a couple of months ago. I will call them tomorrow as I can leave work to go then.

Depends where the crackling is coming from. When I’ve gone in with upper chest crackling they’ve always just sent me home. It’s only when it’s in my lower chest they’ll only ever treat it as a chest infection.

Why were you prescribed antibiotics for viral infections? They are an amazing set of drugs but terrible for your gut health and immune system. It sounds like you're very run down and open to anything going. You need to start working on your overall wellbeing. Look at your diet, is it healthy and balanced? How much do you drink/smoke/exercise etc? Prioritise a good night's sleep too.

To answer your original question though, no I wouldn't have gone to the Dr's about anything you've described.

The crackle needs listening to by a health professional. I'd sort that today, rather than tomorrow. Yes, it may be upper RI, but no one knows this until you've been checked. Do you have a walk in centre in your town? 111 will also advise.

@CalistoNoSolo I didnt have ABs for the virus, 1st lot for strep, 2nd after a couple of weeks when I was still ill and running a temperature with lots of mucus.

I am reasonably active on a day to day level, eat plenty of fresh/whole foods, have given up alcohol, dont smoke. Need to lose weight, have struggled with sleep due to all the illnesses I've had.

@Mabelface no walk in centre here unfortunately but easy enough to get a GP appointment. Couldn't go today as work are understandably unhappy about the time off sick I've had.

I would for that yes. Mostly because you're describing a crackle when you're breathing and that ideally needs to be listened to by a GP.

Hope you don't get strep a or a chest infection then. You'll be very unwell if you do and don't go to a GP

Def go. Can pretty much guarantee you have a chest infection. Let us know?

I actually had strep a late last year, as did DD. Neither of us were ill enough to need to see a Dr.