To see GP for this cold.

[pinkdonkey]

I'm undecided.

Obviously colds are viral not anything the GP can do about them, but wondering if this is more than just a cold. Really don't want to waste GPs time. It's in it's second week, last week felt grotty but managed at work, felt like I was getting over it by weekend, then Sunday night it hit me all over again, been off work all week, waking every night due to sore throat, tired and breathless easily when doing housework, Coughing lots, but only a tiny bit of phlegm (yellow) worse at night. Don't feel like I've got a temperature any more, but feeling worse this morning than the last couple of days.

Not sure if to wait till Monday as if not better by then will need a sicknote anyway or to try to get in today in the hope they can give me something to help before the weekend. I've got a hospital appointment this afternoon for follow up for an infection in my breast (finished antibiotics 2 weeks ago) the lumps not completely gone, so it's possible that they will give me more antibiotics for that anyway.

How old are you OP?

If you've got 'flu or similar then it's not uncommon for it to go on for two weeks. Have you been adequately resting?

If your breathing has deteriorated significantly I would go to see the GP.

Normally I'd say YABU to see GP for a cold (they can't do anything) but your difficulty breathing did ring alarm bells for me, are you asthmatic? Is it difficulty due to a blocked nose or just plain breathing?

I've had a few occasions where a cold with trouble breathing has turned out to be a lung infection. So you wouldn't be unreasonable to go get your lungs checked as if that's the case you might need antibiotics.

Mention it at your hospital appointment

I would think that the Hospital Doctor will ask you how your general health has been. They are usually ok with having a listen to your chest. So will give you advice.

Some anti-biopics work well for some things and they wouldn't want contraindications to be happening. So it is sensible to take through your symptoms.

Sounds like a chest infection. I am on the fourth day of a five day course of antibiotics for an upper respiratory tract infection and was signed off work till Monday and you have the same symptoms as me (my sore throat is away now though)

Agree with kity. I'd say a cold on its own, rest and paracetamol. A cough on its own, I once had a bad one that lasted three months! But the two together, worsening and yellow phlegm, it wouldn't hurt to give a GP a call. You need your lungs listening to.

There is a very nasty cold going around that does seem to drag on. It's a go to work then go home straight to bed job in its second week apparently.

Definitely won't hurt for someone to check your lungs are clear though. I think I would like that reassurence.

Even chest infections go on their own in otherwise healthy individuals. Like a pp said take paracetamol and speak to your consultant this afternoon

I'm mid 30s so had plenty of colds/flus before. Doesn't feel as awful as flu, no aching bones, am still able to potter about the house. Yes I've mainly been resting either in bed or on sofa all week, just pottering to keep ontop of housework etc.

Breathing is chest rather than nose problem, the breathlessness isn't severe just noticable. I'm not asthmatic.

My main concern is feeling worse rather than better.

Yep Fucky, that's why I wondered if she was asthmatic. I am, and there was a risk that if I left the infection to go on its own it might trigger an attack.

It was so bad though that I struggled to walk a few metres without getting so out of breath I had to stop, so I made the appt and got the antibiotics.

Hmm, I'd just ask the hospital doc about it in that case then. Colds can be pretty severe and last a long time and many do get worse before they get better so I wouldn't consider that a red flag in itself.

Sounds exactly like the flu going round here at the moment. Some people get flattened by it, some get a lighter dose.

The headache, SAVAGE sore throats and coughing up crap is fairly universal tho. Also the 'I thought I was getting better' and then going down hill again for another week. Loss of voice has been common, temperature in early stages, earache, vertigo and if you really lucky, a gastro stage....

Usually when my colds go on for 2 weeks its because they've spread to my chest. Your breathlessness would make me think maybe it's now on your chest.
Maybe ring the doctors and see if you can have a quick phone consultation/triage and then the doctor can decide if he needs to see you?
Feel better colds and flu are the worst

Sounds like a chest infection, which is probably viral and just needs to run its course. If you're otherwise up and about, I wouldn't go to the GP with it unless it's still around in a week's time.

However, if you've got a hospital appointment today, just mention it and see what they say - if you've had any kind of infection, whether it's in your breast or anywhere else, you should mention any other illness symptoms you've had.

Hope you feel better soon