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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Mum has an infection and is short of breath - doctor not giving Covid test?

54 replies

SummerCherry · 09/07/2020 11:33

My Mum has caught a chest infection she thinks. She is very short of breath but no cough. She feels tired.

She’s still shielding but has been going out for short walks by herself in the last 2 weeks. She phoned the doctor today who asked if she wanted to come in, which she didn’t, and have sent over antibiotics today. The GP says no point in testing for COVID-19 as she ‘has no symptoms’. I’m not sure about this, or about her being asked if she wanted to come in either to the surgery? Obviously I’m worried it might be Covid, but she doesn’t want the test as she trusts her GP. She’s on her own.

Isn’t this poor practice? She is short of breath.

OP posts:

SeasonFinale · 09/07/2020 11:36

Get her to register on to the Zoe Covid app and state that she does not feel well and they will send one out. I have been daily reporting for them since March and when I had a sore throat they sent tests out to us all and a courier collected them and we had (negative) results the next day. But there was no quibbling!

donttouchmyhair · 09/07/2020 11:38

Not poor practice. GP has taken a history and decided it sounds like a chest infection so is treating her for that, if no improvement after a couple days of antibiotics then they may consider covid swabs.

mrbob · 09/07/2020 11:39

If she feels short of breath she probably needs to be seen by a doctor. There are other things that could be the problem

TheGreatWave · 09/07/2020 11:58

No I would be pleased that they weren't fobbing her off with "it might be covid," and actually treating the likely cause given her history.

londongirl12 · 09/07/2020 12:01

Why doesn't she apply for a home test kit?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-an-antigen-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

pilates · 09/07/2020 12:05

I would ask for a Covid test. Shortness of breath was the only symptom for my neighbour who had it.

Cuddling57 · 09/07/2020 12:09

I'm on the Zoe app and had sore throat. They asked me to take part in a trial and posted me a home kit. I'm not sure everyone will be asked to do this.
Apply for a test on the nhs website if you really want one but don't rely on the Zoe app to possibly ask you for one.
It's time sensitive to take these tests and you have to wait for the post etc so do it ASAP if you are going to.

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 09/07/2020 12:29

Book her a test online. You can drive her through the test centre or do the home one.

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 09/07/2020 12:31

here

Hercwasonaroll · 09/07/2020 12:34

Just organise her one yourself.

zigaziga · 09/07/2020 12:34

She can easily get one herself, probably easier than through the GP. You can arrange one for her now.

Rudolphian · 09/07/2020 12:35

I wasnt aware it was GP.'s referring people for tests.
I just went onto the government website and arranged it myself. Wasnt difficult.

CherryBlossomPink · 09/07/2020 12:36

Book her in the drive through test centre (if she is able to drive/be driven there)
Very quick and easy - my results were back within hours, so at least it would set your mind at rest

Original poster

SummerCherry · 09/07/2020 12:38

Thanks for your responses. I’ve offered to get her a test. However because the GP told her she didn’t need it, she’s refused!

OP posts:

pilates · 09/07/2020 12:42

Just book it and take her. Be the mum 😀

SeagoingSexpot · 09/07/2020 12:46

She never needed the GP to arrange her a test. She could get one sent to home or book a drive-thru one.

If she doesn't actually want a test that's her choice. Ultimately a test doesn't change anything anyway. She doesn't sound critically unwell so should take advised medication and rest at home, and seek help if she deteriorates.

Nearlyalmost50 · 09/07/2020 12:58

Not funny how GPs are not even seeing patients, just diagnosing over the phone. Of course it matter if she has corona as we need to track and trace, not wait a few days, prescribe unnecessary antibiotics and then try to rush a test through.

Basically you would be better off with an algorithm on a computer than a GP down the phone in that type of situation as there is simply no way the GP can know the cause of breathlessness!

SeagoingSexpot · 09/07/2020 13:11

@Nearlyalmost50

Basically you would be better off with an algorithm on a computer than a GP down the phone in that type of situation as there is simply no way the GP can know the cause of breathlessness!

the GP offered the DM the chance to come in and be seen, which she declined
she's shielding, so hasn't been in close contact with anyone to trace
she has none of the symptoms which would be advised to trigger a test based on the OP's description. I'm not even sure the NHS would fund a test for someone who is neither displaying one of the "trigger symptoms" nor a key worker (who can have testing even if they're asymptomatic).

This might be a crap GP, none of us have the information to know, but no, it doesn't really seem like bad practice for him not to automatically send the OP's DM for testing, and he is hardly the only gateway to testing.

dontgobaconmyheart · 09/07/2020 13:18

That's up to her then OP. She could also have asked for a second opinion from the GP. I see no issue with the GP asking her if she wanted to come in, they are seeing patients with covid symptoms to check their vitals, just in separate parts of the building, in full PPE and at invitation only. Had she of taken up the offer to go in and have her breathing listened to, 02 checked, blood tests to assay for infections then she would know more, but i appreciate going in to the GP at the moment is worrying, and I can also appreciate why the GP wouldn't want her to come, given her age and existing respiratory issues, at this time.

We have all been encouraged to arrange our own covid tests on the website or she can call to arrange; either a home test or one of the many drive through testing centres so I don't think there is really any abandonment from her GP here as it's personal responsibility, not that of the GP. They have said they suspect an infection, they haven't and can't tell her whether or not she has covid or indeed anything else, if she won't go in.
Whether she has covid or not she would remain at home, there is no treatment required unless she is unable to manage her symptoms at which point you would call 111 for access to hospital.

If you are really worried OP, arrange a home test or perhaps purchase an oximeter so she can check her sp02 levels to make sure they are within the normal range. If she is unable to finish short sentences, is gasping for breath, wheezing when breathing (and the antibiotics do not improve it in a few days) or her lips look blue, then call 111 or go to A&E.

Rudolphian · 09/07/2020 13:43

From the op your two main concerns seem to be you aren't happy she was invited in to be reviewed.
You aren't happy she was told she doesnt need a test.
Then you are worried about poor practice.
I'm not sure what you expected the GP to do.
They have offered her to come in so they can check her over. Your mum declined. They have have given her antibiotics in case it isn't covid.
You have offered your mum a test but she has refused.
So what else were you expecting?? Your mum refused to go down, the GP assessed her as best as they can over the phone.

Original poster

SummerCherry · 09/07/2020 13:46

All good points. Although I’m not sure of symptomology - surely extreme tiredness and shortage of breath are one of the main symptoms?

She wasn’t reassured by the GP that if she came in she would be seen as a suspected COVID patient - which did kind or worry me. If they are inviting anyone in with shortness of breath through their normal gateway, isn’t that risky for other patients? Doesn’t seem best practice. She did visit her GP a week ago and they only let one in at a time.

OP posts:

Rudolphian · 09/07/2020 14:00

Is there anything in particular you were hoping the GP would do? You just keep repeating you aren't happy with what they did, and it is poor practice but is there something specific you were hoping they would do?
I don't think they arrange Covid testing.
I've arranged it myself for myself and family.

onalongsabbatical · 09/07/2020 14:00

No the three MAIN symptoms for which you are supposed to definitely test are - temp, persistent new cough, and loss of taste or smell. Which is not to say shortness of breath is not covid or not important, but it's not in the protocol to make a test necessary. So the dr is right, but you can still press your mum to agree to a test. I did both a home test and a drive in, I'd recommend the drive in it's really easy and you can book it for her and take her, but it's going to be up to you to persuade her it's necessary.

Original poster

SummerCherry · 09/07/2020 14:31

Fair enough. Most of the points raised here seem very valid. I’ve taken them all on board.

Maybe I wasn’t specific enough in my post - I guess my original concerns were:

My Mum didn’t want to go in to GP ‘in case she had Covid or caught Covid’ and if the GP had explained there were procedures and reassured her, it may have changed her mind. So she hasn’t been seen.
Because the GP had told her it wasn’t symptoms of Covid, she doesn’t want a test. She doesn’t realise it’s not the GPs call.
I’m a little concerned, through my Mum, that she seems to think that she would be seen at the GPs as a ‘normal’ patient - as if this is the case - a bit worried GPs are seeing potential Covid patients without PPE etc.

OP posts:

FallingIguanas · 09/07/2020 14:41

Universal precautions means every patient would be seen in PPE OP regardless of symptoms.

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