AIBU to think people with minor illnesses who wait weeks to go to the Dr are risking those with reduced immunity ?

[MissCherryCakeyBun]

Following from another thread I read today and from a woman coughing up a lung in a local coffee shop and telling the friends she was with she had this cough for weeks but it's fine as only her kids had caught it .
I started to wondered AIBU wishing people would get these things sorted and not bring them into the public arena when they are contagious? My FIL has leukemia and following treatment will have virtually no immune system working for the next couple of years. He has become virtually housebound because of the thoughtless behaviour of those with contagious illnesses. The last time we went out for coffee an woman with a child with what looked like early chicken pox plonked the child down on the bench seat next to FIL and went to get coffee. VERY quick exit made by us.....
Why do people do this?

I tried to book an appointment with my doctor today, next available appointment is next Friday as is the case most of the time. Luckily enough it isn't for something contagious.

I do have a compromised immune system though, and while it's annoying for me constantly having bugs etc, I have to appreciate peoples lives don't/can't stop at the sudden onset of a cough or cold. Besides some people are infectious before they even realise they are sick

Am sorry for your FIL hope he is coping ok, and YABU (but in the nicest possible way)

I went to the gp with a cough lasting three weeks - and was told it could last another 4 weeks and sent away! I've still got it but am in no hurry to return and be told I'm wasting their time. And I do sound like I'm coughing up a lung sometimes too.

The NHS would collapse if people with minor illnesses all went to their GP (who wouldn't do anything about most of them).

It's not reasonable. A bad cold is contagious. It can last weeks. It can't be treated. You can't expect people not to go out.

Sorry about your situation.

But a contagious illness could be a cold or cough - which illnesses are you talking about? I sympathise with your family situation but your FIL needs to protect himself by avoiding public places whilst he is compromised.

You can't expect every person with a cough or cold or headache to stay in.
I understand how difficult it is when you have a family member who is immunocompromised (for me it was toddler DS.) I don't expect people to be sitting in a cafe with chicken pox or dashing into the supermarket with D and V. But to suggest that every minor illness should result in complete quarantine is madness.

For heaven sake I'm not talking every minor illness going to the Dr but I think it's reasonable to expect those with contagious illnesses to avoid being about in public

Then perhaps you could have said that, instead of saying the exact thing you seem annoyed at people thinking you meant?

Which minor illnesses? Most don't require a GP and it's unreasonable to expect everyone to stay in if they have one. The chickenpox I think is a reasonable gripe. Ok to nip to the shops if necessary with child in a pushchair but I wouldn't sit in a coffee shop.

Washing hands will help prevent chicken pox spreading in the same way it helps prevent spread of coughs, colds, etc etc

And the thing is, chicken pox, mumps etc are once in a lifetime style illnesses. Staying in for a week or so is doable. But some people get several bad colds a year. You can't expect them to stay inside for weeks at a time and put their lives on hold. The immunocompromised person bears some responsibility too, to avoid those who are obviously unwell.

Most illnesses is a case of riding it out and self medicating

And being off sick could mean job loss for some people. Even getting a doc appointment is difficult and half the time, unnecessary