to ask any medical folk your advice - posting here for much needed traffic.

[TheChocolateTeapot]

Background; when I was travelling last Autumn in SE Asia my gp gave me some precautionary, cure all antibiotics in case of need. Happily they weren't needed and are safely at the back of the medicine box.
Fast forward to today - Easter Saturday. The cough I have been nurturing for 48 hours has gone apeshit and I am now coughing up huge amounts of nasty green mucus. The local chemist says she can't give me anything that will help as it has gone beyond otc remedies and suggested I go to a&e instead. I can't now see a doctor before Tuesday as I only get ill over holidays!
So, here's the question. Would you take the very general antibiotic (which I have googled and does indeed seem to be suitable for bronchitis) or would it make me the very worst person in the world.

Ring the GP out of hours service and ask for an appointment.

Thanks Forty - will look into it.

Yes I would also ring out of hours GP or 111. you will need the right antibiotics If the doctor prescribes them. Hope You feel better, keep yourself warm.

No. See a dr and get the right prescription for your illness.

The ones you have may not be effective. Different bacteria need different lengths and strengths of ab, even if you do have the right one. At worst you may contribute to antibiotic resistance.

What antibiotics are they? Are they broad-spectrum, like amoxicillin?

If they’re broad spectrum or a respiratory one then yes I would. Ime doctors don’t send a sputum sample to culture for the right abx for such symptoms......only if their first educated guess at which abx doesn’t work.

Probably ciprofloxacin if for travellers diarrhoea, so no, don't use it for your cough. Green stuff doesn't mean bacterial every time. If you have a fever or are feeling short of breath or really unwell then see an out of hours GP. They can then advise appropriately

f they’re broad spectrum or a respiratory one then yes I would. Ime doctors don’t send a sputum sample to culture for the right abx for such symptoms......only if their first educated guess at which abx doesn’t work

You do know that “educated guess” isn’t a guess at all? It’s 10 years + of medical training, and ab’s are prescribed after taking a full medical history.

What evidence is there that it’s even bacterial? You’d need to take a history to even “guess” at a diagnosis.

Thanks all, yes they were prescribed as a broad spectrum precaution so I hoped they might help. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azithromycin I haven't taken antibiotics for at least 3 years iirc.

It could be a viral bronchitis. Definitely get assessed though, if it's a viral infection there's no point in taking azithromycin. Or anything other than supportive treatment.

What are the antibiotics?

A&E for a two day cough?! I'm recovering from a nasty, now ten day cough, have had fever and felt awful...worst cold I've had in years. But I certainly didn't consider antibiotics or visiting the doctor. Viral infections also produce mucus of varying colours, so that's not really an indicator of something bad. People with healthy immune systems are usually quite capable of overcoming common viral infections and even some low grade bacterial infections, without the need for antibiotics. Popping pills without good cause, just contributes to resistance, which is a huge issue.
Unless you are feeling short of breath or become much worse, I'd say you'll be fine in a few days!
And as others also say, you can always call 111 for advice.

I would give it another 24 hours with lots of fluids, paracetamol etc. In that time if you are short of breath then A&E. The rule with viral infections is usually 3 days up , 3 days down so if you are on day 3-4 and it's not getting better is unlikely to be purely viral, azithromycin is good for respiratory infections. This assuming you are under 75 and normally a fit and well non smoker btw

I'm surprised the pharmacist suggested A&E but as she has, I wouldn't just wait it out, I'd ring 111 for advice.

I hope you feel better soon.

Mumto2two - I am not normally a doctor person but the (qualified) dispensing chemist had a look and a listen and felt I needed something more. Are you a doctor? I am very short of breath, am very feverish and feeling a bit sorry for myself.
Ok, shall soldier on in the hope that I start to feel better soon.

Should add that I often find myself short of breath (bugger, it's turning into one those threads...... ) after repeated PEs so I generally ignore any early signs........

Should add that I often find myself short of breath (bugger, it's turning into one those threads...... ) after repeated PEs so I generally ignore any early signs........

Aaand there it is- the reason we take a history.

If you have a history of pe’s and are short of breath you should seek medical advice.

So phone 111 for advice/ whereabouts of your local ooh services.

Thank you reallyanotherone - of course you make perfect sense. I do try and avoid doctors as a rule cos I know that my medical history makes fairly grim reading and I worry about sledgehammers and nuts! whichmakesmeafecklessidiot. I am, by and large, a hardy soul but anything chesty can really knock me out. Am going to crawl under the quilt now and see what tomorrow brings. Thanks all.

If you often get short of breath, and are coughing up green mucus, and have a history of PEs you need a real life doctor - not the internet or a packet of antibiotics you had for travel.

Phone 111 now - there are out of hours on duty over the weekend and your history will trigger an assessment.

I’ve taken azithromyacin every day for years. And I still haven’t got resistant to it.

Oh, SOB and history of PE.....see a doctor this evening.

I’ve taken azithromyacin every day for years. And I still haven’t got resistant to it

It isn’t you that becomes resistant. It’s the bacteria. And you won’t know if you are carrying resistant bacteria unless they become a problem. Which is unlikely if you have a normal immune system.

I did this last year... Ended up in out of hours anyway as I weirdly developed an allergy to penicillin since pregnancy!

Yes I agree with the others don't wait see a doctor this evening .

Well my very experienced consultant isn’t bothered about bacteria becoming resistant. He doesn’t believe it happens....not sure if he means ever or for the abx he uses. I know I’m not the only one he’s treating like this.