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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How long would you take off sick for throat infection,chest infection and difficulty breathing?

55 replies

whatisforteamum · 24/10/2019 21:57

I work in an industry where sick days are frowned upon.So most of the time I work on through so does everyone else.
This past week I developed a headache raging sore throat.ear ache and dreadful wet cough.I had a temp of 102 for a.few.days so I asked to leave early once.
One of two of the days I made mistakes as I couldn't concentrate.😰Anyway today I got to see the gp.I was prescribed 1000mg of antibiotics.as he could see I wasn't right and I have asthma.So my breathing is struggling.
I know some people take a.week off.for illness.What.do you think is reasonable.Forgot to mention I've eaten very little all week as I have zero appetite.

OP posts:
OctoberLovers · 25/10/2019 01:56

Iv currently got this bug.
I feel better today, day 7, but still not 100%
Still wouldnt be working today.

I was in hospital with it for 24 hours on a drip with my heart beating at 140.
Couldnt even stand for 10 minutes for afew days.

Hope you feel better soon

Whomei · 25/10/2019 01:58

Probably a couple of days- once the antibiotics kick in, I'd probably head back then

OctoberLovers · 25/10/2019 03:52

Has to depend how you feel in yourself.

Noone can answer for you.

I still had a high temperature on day 6 with a very similar sounding bug.

EarringsandLipstick · 25/10/2019 04:10

What did your GP advise? That's what you go by - and if you're still not better, go back go doctor.

Can't get this idea of dragging yourself in & worrying about it. If you are sick, stay out. When you are better, go in. Get GP's advice. That's it

Mummyoflittledragon · 25/10/2019 05:04

If they are crappy with you at work, you could get a sick note from the doctor. Asthma can be deadly but I appreciate this isn’t widely known. Don’t be foolhardy with your health. And send a rocket up your ds’s arse if there is any more frowning at you for taking time off. A cough vs chest infection aka bronchitis are completely different. You don’t want to end up in hospital with pneumonia or worse because you decided to soldier on.

Pixxie7 · 25/10/2019 05:54

You should double up on your preventer {brown inhaler) take reliever as needed. If your peak flow is low you may need oral steroids. Finish antibiotics if no better go back to GP.

C0untDucku1a · 25/10/2019 05:59

I had three weeks off for a chest infection once. It was absolutely awful. I didnt leave the house and barely moved from the sofa. Ive had a chest infection recently and didnt need to take a day off. Even the same illness in the same person can have a different effect. So take what you need.

custardbear · 25/10/2019 06:37

Sore throat and cough I'd go to work, fever, difficulty breathing then no, home recovering TIL it's better. Get a sick note if necessary

SerenDippitty · 25/10/2019 07:06

I had a really nasty throaty/chesty virus in February. I literally could not have gone to work. Was off a week and a half but wasn’t right for months. You need as long as it takes to get better.

Northernsoullover · 25/10/2019 07:06

I was ill at the beginning of September. I work part time so I avoided sick days but I definitely went back too early (self employed) and for a fortnight after being poorly I was breathless at the slightest exertion. Stay off until you are better.

BlueCornsihPixie · 25/10/2019 07:13

Only go back when you feel better

If you are too ill to work today, if you still feel the same in a week you are still too ill to work. Irrelevant of how much time you've had already. There's no point pushing yourself to go in and just making yourself worse

People get ill, your employer will just have to deal with it

fartingrainbows · 25/10/2019 07:31

I once took a full two weeks off for something that was essentially "just a cold" I felt truly appalling, couldn't speak, eat or sleep and spent large parts of each day crying. I generally don't take any time at all off.

So, it really depends how you feel rather than what you have (what the doctor says you have) if you feel so I'll that you need time off to recover then take it.... your health matters.

Oh and definitely never mess around with Asthma, it can turn so quickly and become life threatening. Get well soon xx

Original poster
whatisforteamum · 25/10/2019 16:31

Thank you all so much
.Especially people that have just had this shit bug.
I am a known workaholic so everyone knows if I'm off its with damn good reason.But one lad who is never off will have an opinion though😢
I know people can take sick leave and I did wonder whether to ask based on the fact.we mostly have to man up
I messaged my boss who.www how I'll I was in the week he is asthmatic.He said not to worry.and take all the time I need.☺
I just need to check back on Sunday to keep him updated.
This episode has taught me I just get the flu jab as I always.reckon I never get flu but had 2 flu type things last winter one I dragged on we all did the other I was off.
Also my job is very physically and mentally demanding.Hard enough for a fit person.

OP posts:
Original poster
whatisforteamum · 25/10/2019 16:35

October lovers I felt my heart was pounding I assumed it was to fight infection.I woke up drenched in cold.sweat today.Definitely better than the last few.days though.Poor you look after yourself xx

OP posts:
LakieLady · 25/10/2019 16:37

I had a week off with flu at the start of the year. I was ill for 2 weeks, but the first week I was off on leave/TOIL anyway, so only 1 week was sick leave.

DP got it too, he was off for nearly 2 weeks.

Take as long as you need.

Sewrainbow · 25/10/2019 16:42

Sounds like you have a chest infection, worsened by asthma, take at least a week off self certified and if you dont feel 100% after then get your GP to give sign you off for another.

Alsohuman · 25/10/2019 16:45

Go back when you’re better and not before. Our society is even shittier than I thought if people worry about being ill now.

TheWolves · 25/10/2019 16:57

Yes, do get the flu jab. Although, I requested mine asap and the earliest they could get me in was tomorrow - but I'm already ill. Next year, I'm paying to have it at the chemist.

CileyMayRhinovirus · 25/10/2019 17:27

I would take one day off to sleep, and another one to rest and eat, and that should be long enough for the antibiotics to start working so after 2 days I would reassess. One day is not enough to really rest properly I think, so two-three days with a Nasty load of ailments and asthma (I'm not asthmatic but would still take 2 days with that lot)

Original poster
whatisforteamum · 25/10/2019 17:43

We all had that nasty flu type thing in the me dh and dd who was visiting spent the week in bed at least I was.on hoildays.
I did read on an NHS website that antibiotics are.not prescribed for sore throats or coughs under 3 weeks.
I think the fact I look dreadful and was breathless.at resting made him prescribe the big guns.I only got I'll this week.
You have all made me feel much better😀

OP posts:
Original poster
whatisforteamum · 25/10/2019 17:50

Alsohuman it's not just my current place all the places I've worked only acknowledge broken bones.or being in hospital good enough reason.
I've worked many decades too.

OP posts:
user1470132907 · 25/10/2019 19:43

I’ve had this for a week and am asthmatic. My peak flow is still fine and my chest sounds clear but I’m still ready to drop by 4pm each day and am a write-off in evenings. I’m using my inhaler loads more than usual and any physical exertion, especially in the cold air, leaves me panting.

OctoberLovers · 25/10/2019 19:43

Hope you feel better soon

Legomadx2 · 25/10/2019 19:45

one day, maybe two

Legomadx2 · 25/10/2019 19:47

and I say that not to be unsympathetic but I have been ill for three weeks and took two days off during that, one of which I wfh.

But if you're paid peanuts I wouldn't bother.