To take my son to GP as he’s had a cough for 2 weeks

[Lavenderlooks]

He’s 4.

His cough/snotty nose and congestion started weekend before last. On the Sunday.
I kept him off school most of last week as he wasn’t himself, very tired and whinging, out of sorts and not wanting to eat.

Now since this weekend just gone he’s mostly back to his normal self - playing, drawing. Chatting away constantly and being his usual cheeky self.
So he’s back at school since yesterday, but still coughing a lot and full of snot. He can’t seem to shift the congestion.

I know it’s likely viral, but I’m rather worried especially since the current news on strep A.
Would it be worth contacting the GP surgery (if I can get through) and see if he needs antibiotics to help him get over this?

His poor face is a little sore too, because he keeps wiping his snot onto his cheek using his sleeve, so it’s Leading to sore skin.

Now since this weekend just gone he’s mostly back to his normal self - playing, drawing. Chatting away constantly and being his usual cheeky self.

If he’s absolutely fine in himself I personally wouldn’t, kids can just jump from one cold to the next all winter long.

If he needed antibiotics he wouldn’t have gotten better so quickly on his own.

Obviously you’re the parent so if you’re worried then call your GP.
Put a heavy duty oat Aveno cream on his face regularly.

Given the Strep A alert, I would.

No. You've said yourself - he's well. Common for viral colds to last three weeks.

If you are concerned then give reception a ring and they'll know. There might be a nurse practitioner or something who can speak to you.

I probably wouldn't, I know there's a threat of strep A but if he's returned to his normal self I'd put it down to a winter sickness

YABU.

coughs and congestion can linger. He’s fine and you’re wasting an appointment for a well child.

strep A is a serious illness and your child does not have it.

leave the appointment for someone who actually needs it.

This is the reason GP surgeries and A&E departments are overrun! Hysterical parents. Ffs it’s a cold! Common in winter.

If he just has a cough and is otherwise well he really doesn’t need seeing. Follow the advice here www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/health/colds-coughs-and-ear-infections-in-children/

If he is well in himself - no temperature, eating, playing - then no, I wouldnt.

Why would you be worried about strep A when the child has recovered and is running about playing, eating and ‘back to his cheeky self?’

Please do not waste GP time! Coughs can last for weeks, so there is no need.

Sounds like he is feeling much better in himself so I wouldn't call. The skin on his face might be prevented by a thin layer of vaseline as a barrier. Encourage him to blow his nose more.

Not if he's normal in himself, no.

What would you want the GP to do?

Hope the cough settles down soon

No, I wouldn’t.

If it started a week Sunday he’s really only been ill for just over a week, not 2. I was ill a few days before that (in bed for days, nasty virus) and I’m still snotty and have a cough. It’ll pass.

I do not think you need a GP appt if he’s otherwise fine.

I was wondering if I should get an appointment for dd who's 6 and has had a bad chesty cough for weeks. But if it's normal after a cold I won't bother. I may just pop into the chemist and ask pharmacist.

No, you've said he's fine in himself. He's recovering well.

Try sudocrem under his nose to stop the sore skin - looks silly but works

Exactly. Just so you can have a diagnosis of strep a? What's the point. A diagnosis of strep a is only useful if caught right at the beginning and you can keep your child at home, or if your chins is incredibly unwell with it.

If he's well I wouldn't. Coughs can linger for literally weeks on kids.

@DuvetQueen1 I guess I’d be hoping the GP might prescribe antibiotics.

Why would he need antibiotics if he has recovered and is back to himself though?

Prescribing antibiotics when not needed is counter productive and contributes to antibiotic resistance

Why not ask your pharmacist for something to help with the cough if it is keeping him awake at night?? There’s no need for anti biotics if he is recovering. Coughs always linger

What for?

Absolutely this Make sure he is out in the fresh air as much as possible - brilliant for clearing congestion!

He is well in himself, no temps and is eating a drink king it’s the remains of a viral infection. Coughs can linger for weeks then he will probably catch something else being the age he is. He doesn’t need antibiotics if he is getting better, his immune system is doing it’s job.

Also some on this thread really need up on strep A and invasive strep A. It’s important to be educated, aware and alert but not every illness is Strep A. It’s more likely to be caused by common winter viruses like RSV, Flu, adenovirus, parainfluenza and so on rather than Strep A