To want our doctors to give us medicine?

[ditziness]

Have two kids, 11 month baby and 4 year old. DH and I got ill 3 weeks or so ago, sore and tight chested, sore throat and ears. Kids started getting it too a week after. DH went to doctor on own and got antibiotics for a chest infection. Me and kids go day after, but apparently no antibiotics needed, we've all got a virus. Meanwhile DH is fighting fit within a couple of days of antibiotics. A week later me and the kids still coughing and rotten, surviving on paracetamol and calpol, not sleeping well . On my knees really. So back to doctors, but still no antibiotics . Apparently still a virus. That DH bizarrely hasn't got.

AIBU to think they should just give us antibiotics?

if its viral then antibiotics wont help

As I said , DH was by bizarre coincidence had a very similar illness which has been cleared up by antibiotics in a couple of days, but also bizarrely hasn't caught mine and the kids' virus.

Sorry you're ill, but (a) antibiotics won't do a damn thing for a viral infection, like the poster above says (b) antibiotic misuse is getting to a really dangerous point world-wide.

Yes, but if it's a virus antibiotics won't work. Presumably his chest infection was bacterial.

The antibiotics won't be giving him magical protection against the virus. He just hasn't caught it.

So I'm unteadonable to think that we've probably got the same thing? Don't you think it's just a bit too much of a coincidence?

I know anti biotics don't work for a virus.

I just think that we've got the same thing and we've not got a virus, we've all got a chest infection. I've been coughing for 3 weeks, bringing up green sticky gunk.

YANBU, I do see your point. Amazing how you all got ill at the same time with the same symptoms, DH got the antibios got better and you guys didn't.

Just a virus is just a dr's fallback. Yes the misuses of antibiotics is a huge problem but in this case it doesn't seem like the wrong choice. Unless they are taking swabs and growing cultures then they don't really know what it bloody well is.

Maybe the antibiotics just coincided with him getting better. Maybe the Dr used their medical degree to differentiate between him and you?

Did you ask your dr how come he gave your dh antibiotics and you none when you have the same symptoms? What is it about your husbands symptoms that warranted the antibiotics?

Obviously your and dcs chests sounded clear which would indicate that it's viral and not a bacteria.

I think there is general overuse of antibiotics, but in this case, YANBU. Did the dr carry out any tests before declaing this "viral"? I suspect not. Can you get in to see your husband's dr?

I think PPs are missing the point.

OP is suggesting that with similar symptoms, DH was diagnosed with chest infection (therefore given antib's), while she and DCs were diagnosed with a virus (no antib's).

DH is better; she and DCs still ill. So maybe doctor has misdiagnosed her & should be treating as chest infection.

Maybe she's wondering whether if DH had gone to doctor with her & DCs, he'd have had the same diagnosis (and no treatment) and would still be ill like they are?

Different doctor. He's also asmatic . They tend to always take s cough from him more seriously

I do think GPs are right to try and limit the use of antibiotics, but does anyone know how they differential between a virus and a chest infection?

OP and her DH exhibited the same symptoms, but DH's GP diagnosed an infection where OP's thinks it's a virus. How do they know?

I agree with you OP. Has the doctor actually tested to see if it's viral or bacterial. I suspect not if they are anything like ours. It's a shoddy service.

Just a virus is NOT a doctors fallback. Sometimes it is 'just' (i never use that word) a virus.

It is possible that he started with the same viral infection as you and then a) contracted a secondary infection or b) was given prophylactic antibiotics to prevent a bacterial infection given his history

I'm sure it is bitch, but how do you know in a 5 min consultation when no actual tests are done?

I don't think the tests to differentiate are that easy.. and as he is asthmatic they will be more agressive with treatment, and are more likely to give anti-biotics 'just in case'

However after more than a week in, still with squeaky breathing I'm a little surprised nothing further was suggested.

YANBU

Can you go see his doctor?

There are symptomatic differences I believe.

Virus tends not to have as much build-up of mucous in the lungs which is audible with a stethoscope.

I think.

Ditziness, I assume you're not a qualified doctor who has been able to do self examination, in which case you've gone to a qualified doctor who has decided the appropriate treatment for each member of the family, either you need to accept the doctor's diagnosis or go seek a 2nd opinion.

The last thing I would be wanting is anti-biotics in your situation, without a diagnosis of a bacterial infection.

Do you have temperatures which indicate an infection? I've in the past had to go back several times and insist on being given antibiotics when I have had similar illness. The dr gave them to be when I insisted and they worked. Sometimes you have to be pushy. Or at least insist on a sample being tested. They have no way of knowing whether it is a virus or not but it is their job to give you appropriate treatment.

Even if it is a bacterial infection, that does not automatically mean you have to have antibiotics. Bacterial infection can and do get better on their own quite often.

The difference is that your DH is asthmatic, which is a huge piece of info to leave out of your OP. People like your DH need antibiotics to work for as long as possible, and that won't happen if GPs hand them out for every little chest infection going in perfectly healthy people.