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

[SummerCherry]

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.

They weren’t when she went to the GPs last week. They had a one in one out, and wore masks. But that was it.

A mask is ppe.

Just arrange the test for her and see if she changes her mind about having it. She may have covid/she may not--she/you won't know until testing then go from there.
Picking at the GP is not productive.

Is she on abx for the chest infection?

Does your mum have any other symptoms? or a temperature? Breathlessness/shortness of breath and extreme fatigue are also symptoms of sepsis.

Just as an aside, where do people order these covid tests from?

Can we buy some to have to hand incase people fall ill?

Windy if you want one when you're ill you get it couriered to you, then it's collected. Or you can go to a drive in place where the results are faster.

I work in general practice. Our ppe is a mask and a pair of gloves. For every single patient.
Those with suspect Covid symptoms are seen in a separate building. The ppe is the same.

I had pneumonia last year and about 3 weeks before I had any symptoms I noticed I was out of breath after short walks and generally lethargic. She does need to see a Dr

Yes if you're expecting PPE to be full suits, gowns, visors, proper gloves and all then you really don't know how little doctors are entitled to. It's a basic surgical mask. No proper filtering mask. A tiny apron if they want and gloves when touching a patient. That's it. Different for dentists, ENT doctors and ICU (and a few other select areas of the hospital where AGPs are performed)

When I ad a covid test I didn't involve my GP at all. Just booked one on gov website. I understand it is hard when older relatives are stubborn regarding health. My grandmother is the same sometimes! Is there anyway you could pursade her?

Thankfully my test was negative! BTW

Seeing Covid patients in a different building makes sense at GPs. They just didn’t tell my mother that, if that is what they are doing. She does need to be seen.

Is the test painful?

I would have thought Covid would be very unlikely if she's been shielding and walks alone. I'm doing the same and I wouldn't even think it could be Covid if that makes sense. Unless she's actually been in contact with anyone

I know, the same with getting a chest infection too, very unlikely she’s only walked, and sometimes seen a neighbour who has said hello, she also had to visit the GP surgery last week. How did she get it? Or is it something else?

If she has mucus or copd, naturally occurring bacteria can multiply to give a chest infection, without being ‘infected’.

I ordered a home test yesterday and it arrived today. Sent it back today and I'm just waiting for results.

Honestly the hardest part was registering the test online!

Even if she has a test it won’t change anything. There’s no treatment for covid. She’s shielding alone so no one else needs to isolate unnecessarily.

From your op, there is no poor practice. They offered to see her, she declined. They prescribed antibiotics and they said she didn’t need a covid test as she’s not displaying the typical symptoms of covid.

IF she has it, likely she picked it up at the GP a week ago.

There are many news articles at the moment re Drs urging the WHO to acknowledge it is airborne and can linger in the air for hours.

She may as well get a drive through test, and then she'll be able to rule that in or out as the cause.

@Haggisfish

If she has mucus or copd, naturally occurring bacteria can multiply to give a chest infection, without being ‘infected’.

I didn’t know this and it’s very useful thanks.

Thanks all. I think that IMBU blaming the GP. I guess I was worried and didn’t really get it. I understand more now.

There are many news articles at the moment re Drs urging the WHO to acknowledge it is airborne and can linger in the air for hours. yes I read case studies where those infected were all within breathing range rather than surfaces, and all inside. It does seem it is in the air in unventilated places and the longer the more likely to be infected.

OP, your DM could have a non infective cause of her shortness of breath, for example heart failure. I would advise she sees her GP if possible, it's hard to diagnose accurately without face to face sometimes.

I would take her to test and also get a little oximeter just to keep checking her oxygen levels are okay.
I’ve found a lot of people who do have/had it are looking after and monitoring themselves, it’s awful.
Also many long term ill with covid didn’t have a temperature or a cough. Mits not to say it is covid, but I’d keep an eye on it if she feels worse.

You can order one yourself online

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