Respiratory/cold symptoms for six weeks - GP?

[Englandbaby]

I've had respiratory symptoms for 6 weeks now. It started with body ache, joint pain and fatigue, then I developed a bad productive cough, congested chest/throat and runny nose. I tested negative for covid multiple times and I wasn't any better after 2 weeks (despite taking all the usual OTC medicines for cold/cough) so I went to the GP who prescribed antibiotics.

I improved with the antibiotics, but when I finished the course the cough came back and I felt congested again. Went back to GP who prescribed another course of a different antibiotic given that there had been a positive improvement with the first course - he said maybe the first course hadn't been long enough or the wrong antibiotic.

I finished the second course of antibiotics a week ago but I am still sick. I am still coughing, to the point that I have developed a painful bruised rib, and in the last couple of days my left ear and left side of my throat are sore. I've also got a runny nose and pain in my sinuses. My colleagues have also started asking me if I'm ok as I have been unwell for so long. I am never normally sick! (and can't remember the last time I was prescribed antibiotics).

is it worth going back to the GP? They're obviously not going to prescribe me more antibiotics - is there anything else they can do? I'm so sick of being sick!

I have a similar (ISH) thing going on but tbf I have avoided the doc. Had a terrible fevery thing, then a really hacking cough, and now head congestion going on for weeks. Solidarity 😞

You have my sympathy as i have had these symptoms and various others since October last year and its dping my head in. No antibiotics as they say its a virus or different virus's but I've lost so much time off work and am constantly exhausted I feel 90 not 50. I have been to the Dr's twice and had scans and xrays but still no actual diagnosis.

Same here. This is my fourth week. I’m so fed up!

Had the same. Could be sinusitis or bronchitis. Can try beconase from chemist for the former. If that doesn't work consider asthma nurse or gp. If you're a smoker or old then maybe need chest xray. Sounds like antibiotics are not working so likely viral and post viral inflammation

Def go back to the GP. Probably nothing they can do but I always think if nothing else best to have it recorded that you are still unwell. They might get you to take the second antibiotics for longer

I’m in week 5 of sormtbing sinilar. On my second week with antibiotics after little improvement . Another colleague has similar - sick for over a month.

Same here!

It's viral so what can the doctor do? Nothing unfortunately - just have to ride it out. You will get better eventually

I got a really debilitating head cold in late Jan. Had 3 weeks off work!!! (Unheard of for me) but I've only really felt better in the last week. So basically it was 7wks

There's been various threads about similar viruses recently

There’s a cough/breathless/feeling knackered virus going round. Lasts several weeks.

I’ve had it 3 weeks but slightly different - no fever. I started with pleurisy then that was improving but suddenly the cough was back. I have been to the doctor who said the virus has triggered my asthma and I’m having an asthma flare up… I’ve not taken inhalers for years and thought I’d grown out of it. I’m currently on steroid tablets.

The doctor did say that if I cough up phlegm or have a high temp she would send me for a chest X-ray.

There's a horrible 100 day cough doing the rounds (not whooping cough, just a cough that is lasting for 100 days). I've been coughing for ages, since before Christmas. Doc prescribed an inhaler - cough is still there, but I'm a lot better than I was. Maybe ask for that?

Obviously, make sure you are doing non-drug related things to help. Wear a scarf to keep your throat and chest warm, have lots of vit C and zinc, dry your washing outside (if you can), make sure your house is ventilated...

What is it this year? I've never come across it before. It's rough.

Mines been 10 weeks - two doses of antibiotics- but I’m still not right. I had a chest X-ray which I had today - my ears are very dry with sinus pain too - request further investigations as an ongoing cough warrants that. I was experiencing stress incontinence and a sore stomach with coughing so much. Go back to gp for more tests.

The stomach pain is rotten (like you're not feeling bad enough already!) Constant cough and each one is sore in your throat and your stomach area. It's really rough.