Would you phone GP for crackles in your throat following flu symptoms?

[29andLost]

I feel like I'm making something of nothing atm but I woke up with flu symptoms 10 days ago and now I've started hearing crackling in my throat when I'm breathing.
It's kept my partner awake at night
Other symptoms are cough with yellow phlem, general feeling run down, headache that doesn't go away, stiff neck.
Negative covid tests

• also realise you aren't Dr's but I've nobody else to ask really. My partner thinks I should ride it out and usually I would do but the crackling is a new symptom I've never experienced before

It's just a build up of phlegm and nothing to worry about in my experience as a human being

I would ride it out because it sounds like nothing serious and my doctor will only see you if you are near death.

I know what you're talking about,it's odd but it does go once you're better.

Google threw up all sorts of pneumonia and lung infection so that's why I was starting to panic
I also need to go back to work but I can't even walk up the stairs without struggling to breathe, my chest hurting and this awful crackling noise 😓

No. But if you have a cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks it's worth giving them a call.

Have you tried steam inhalation to loosen up the phlegm.

Oh, do you need a fit note?

Can't walk up the stairs without struggling to breathe - would definitely seek medical help

Could be a chest infection. I'd make an appt, yes. I'd say I'm happy not to have antibiotics if the gp doesn't feel the need, but that with no improvement after ten days and in fact with new symptoms appearing, I'm concerned and would like to be seen.

Ask the chemist. It's pretty normal.

If you aren't improving after 3 weeks I think you need to see a GP regardless in case he have a secondary infection but bear in mind flu recovery can take weeks,the tiredness is awful.

I'm fine if I don't need to move
Once I move I'm so breathless and it starts hurting but it could all be in my head
I just want to cry and have a sleep (4 children to look after so unlikely)

I usually just ride it out. Steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil massively helps

Crackles - no, that's pretty normal after a bad cold in my experience.

Struggling to breath and chest hurting - yes I'd possibly go to the pharmacist first but it may be an infection.

Have just seen you can't move without breathlessness. Would definitely call GP in that case

I had this recently. At first just noticed crackles (like eating popping candy) and then a few days later it was painful to breathe. I saw the GP and they said it was pleurisy (although think crackles can indicate other things as well). No treatment needed as likely viral - just painkillers for the pain and suggested vit C and Zinc to help my immune system. Pain took 10-14 days to go. Crackles lessened but lasted a good month after the pain finished.

Could be a sinus infection. Those often irritate the throat as well. Try using a nasal douche (netipot) to flush out the system a bit. In any case it's probably a secondary bacterial infection so if it doesn't subside soon you may need antibiotics.

I had this and it was pleurisy, initially viral but when it was getting worse after 2 weeks not better they gave me some antibiotics as they thought it had probably progressed to a bacterial infection. It cleared up quickly after I started taking them. I found Guaifenesin helpful to get the phlegm off my chest.

Of course you do. You can't get upstairs and christ knows what bacteria is making a home in your lungs. Get it sorted today.

If you're worried, see a doctor. I know the advice is "ask your pharmacist" but in my experience, if you do actually ask a pharmacist they look at you like "Why are you asking me? How the fuck would I know? See a doctor if you're worried". Likewise if you call the non-emergency number.

It will almost certainly be nothing but if you can't move without being exhausted, it's not unreasonable to call your surgery, even just for a phone appointment.

See a doctor today please

This noise may be stridor. I had it 6wks ago after a nasty bug and I'm still coughing badly now. I'm off for a chest xray this week after seeing the GP (well, then paramedic) yesterday and have a week of antibiotics even though my chest is clear, and a month of omeprazole in case it's reflux.

In your case OP, SEE YOUR GP. Crackling on the chest may well be pneumonia. The longer you leave it, the more likely you are to end up in hospital rather than at home on the sofa.

Hi, I’m currently taking steroids and antibiotics for acute bronchitis which you may have.

These were my symptoms … I started to ache and hurt on Saturday then developed a high temp, glands were up but no sore throat, then I developed a cough (no mucus), I had a painful upper back and when I would breath in and out it sounded like rice crispies crackling and popping with a slight wheeze. I was in bed for 2 days solid and the other days barely moved.

I did ignore it as I do try and fight things myself and when I thought I maybe need to see someone I couldn’t get a drs appointment so I went to the walk in centre last night as I was getting worse and ever so breathless and my tempt wasn’t going down!

She could hear the crackling on my lungs.
I did know it wasn’t possible pneumonia as my sats were good (have a monitor at home!) but acute bronchitis is literally as bad.

I did get a little telling off as I’d had milder symptoms 3 weeks ago which went within 3-4 days so as I ignored them it came back with vengeance.

Hope you feel better soon x

I get this fairly regularly whenever I get a cold or flu since a bad bout of covid. My doctor usually just chucks an inhaler at me and it goes within a week or two. Definitely go and get checked out though.

I said this evening how many people are getting upper respiratory infections since Covid. It’s scary!