Should I call the Dr?

[Sugarfreerage]

I'll preface this by saying that I rarely visit the GP (I go once every couple of years at most), but I've been quite unwell over Christmas with some kind of respiratory infection.

Yesterday and this morning I've coughed up dark green/brown phlegm with streaks of blood in. Is this something I need to see a Dr for or will it get better without medication?

Thanks!

As someone living with a chronic lung infection, I strongly advise never to ignore any blood you've coughed up.

Yes, coughing up blood definitely requires a doctors visit.

@TheRealGossipGirl thanks for your reply, I absolutely hate bothering the drs. I think I'm going to wait and see if it happens again and if it does then I may try to get an appointment.

Don't wait, just ring now (or more likely after lunch when their appointment line opens again). You probably need antibiotics, maybe steroids, and definitely need someone who knows what they're doing to listen to your chest.

OP - you asked advice and were told what to do.
Why ask if you’re going to ignore? People took time to reply.
Ring.

Thank you, I have called and they have given me an appointment for tomorrow morning

I could be wrong , but I'm sure some pharmacist 's are allowed to prescribe antibiotics for some illnesses .

Yes, I think so too, but coughing up blood is the sort of thing a pharmacist would tell someone to see a doctor about anyway.

Streaks of blood aren’t something to worry about.
A large quantity of blood on the other hand is.

Oh no really? Do you think I'll be wasting their/my time tomorrow by going? 😫

It's not about whether or not you definitely need treatment. It's that you're not qualified (I'm presuming) to make that decision, so you need someone who knows what they're doing to examine you and let you know. Don't cancel the appointment.

@Sugarfreerage you will not be wasting their time. Please go to the appointment.

Never mind the blood, you have green phlegm so that likely needs antibiotics

No. You need to go. You are not wasting anyone’s time.

Come on, OP. They don’t give out medals to people who go to the doctors the least. They gave you an appointment, just go to it. It even says on the NHS website that blood stained mucus is a reason to see a GP. Don’t overthink it.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chest-infection/

I think you need to see a GP.

I recently had something similar and my GP wouldn't see me (they should have, they just expect their patients to travel back in time to 1901 and send them a telegram to book an appointment). Without medication, it's taken me about three weeks to stop coughing up mucous and I'm still getting short of breath and very easily tired now. Definitely see a GP if they are willing to see you!

I had this kind of phlegm with pneumonia. Not hugely bloody but just pink streaks and I had to go on 2 lots of strong antibiotics so sounds like you do need the appointment!

Bloody green phlegm is a sign of infection and requires a GP appointment according to NHS advice.

Why risk damage to your lungs for fear of asking a health professional to do the job they’re paid to do? Only in the UK ….,,,

Thanks everyone for the advice, I plan to rest today and I'll attend the appointment tomorrow 🤞🏻🤞🏻

I'm impressed your GP is open on a Saturday!

@hopeishere they've booked me into one of the out of hours hubs