To go to GP with the flu?

[CoughyGoLightly]

I'm 3 weeks in to feeling rough, 2.5 weeks of intermittent high fever, aches and pains, productive cough, and I've now seemingly in the last few days developed a sinus infection.

I'm a 35 year old otherwise healthy mum of 3 but I've been really struggling with this. The fevers have been quite bad and I've been getting those Horrid electric shock pains in my joints and back.

The last week or so I've been really struggling with coughing, wheezing and not being able to catch a breath. I'm so weak I can't get up the stairs normally now, but still trying to soldier on with 3 kids and a wfh job (& a dh who's begrudgingly picking up extra school runs etc when I ask)

Is this just the flu? Im not sure if I'm justified in calling the GP tomorrow morning or not. I have bad judgement with these things (when it comes to my own health) as I have long term health conditions that make me anxious about seeking medical help.

After 3 weeks and with symptoms worsening and not being able to catch your breath then yes in these circumstances I'd be getting an urgent GP appointment and calling 111 if none available as you may have a secondary infection and need antibiotics

And sorry you feel so rough. Can you call in sick so you can rest? Sometimes you need to prioritise health

I never go to the doctor, but I would go after feeling so rough for so long. Probably at least a week before this in truth.

Phone tomorrow, I hope you get somewhere and feel better soon.

Have you done a covid test? I would go to the GP. You might need antibiotics for sinusitis.

How's your breathing when you're doing nothing at all? Still feeling quite breathless or is it only when you're exerting yourself?

If you're feeling breathless even when still, I'd say you needed an appointment asap. Maybe even tonight if you have an OOH service near you.

If you've got a high temperature and you've had one for days and days, you need to see someone soon as well but tomorrow.

Otherwise, it still might be an idea to get checked over although possibly not quite as urgent.

Can you email your GP or have a phone appt to save you dragging yourself there ( and spreading your germs)

Could well be Covid with a secondary infection that needs antibiotics.

Rest rest and rest as much as you can. You need to take some sick leave .

Thank you. Yes still breathless when sedentary although more manageable. I've just gone up the stairs to bed and had to sit down for 5 mins before I could make it down the landing to my bedroom.

Thank you for the replies i will call the surgery first thing and try and get an appointment (no easy feat but worth a try!)

I'm a doctor. Yes, flu and COVID can go on for three weeks, but I think it would be entirely reasonable to see your GP to make sure that you don't now have a bacterial infection that potentially needs antibiotics.

Hope you feel better soon

Yeah you need to see a GP in that case. Being breathless without exertion definitely warrants a look over.

If you don't get an appointment first thing, get straight on to 111 because they'll certainly arrange an appointment for you tomorrow with those symptoms.

I wonder if you’ve got pneumonia then you need antibiotics.

Yes go to the doctor. You’ll get lots of people telling you the flu is a virus therefore nothing can be done.not true. Yes it’s a virus but it can be very nasty and can cause complications requiring treatments. You may been supplementary oxygen for a bit, salbutamol if youre wheezy, possibly steroids, possibly antibiotics for a secondary bacterial infection. 3 weeks with no improvement and a worsening of respiratory symptoms and increased work of breathing needs checked out. I work in ICU and every winter we are filled with patients with flu, unlikely to end up this unwell due to your age and lack of co morbidities but you should still get checked out.

I agree . You need to see Gp , you need your chest checking at the very least

Can you check your blood oxygen either on your phone or smartwatch if you don't have one of those things that clips on your finger, if it is below 90%, chances are you have a chest infection. Are your lungs creaking or crackling?

I'm not sure if my phone can do that (if it can its news to me!) I will Google

My lungs are so noisy it's a bit of a joke atm my 3 year old has been telling me off at bedtime for being too loud 🙃 😅

I had pneumonia last year & like you, I was breathless moving around, I couldn't walk from the bathroom to my bedroom, which is about 10 steps without feeling like I was doing to pass out.

I definitely agree with seeing your gp and getting your chest listened to
My mil had what we thought was a chest infection over Xmas last year but it was a heart condition that was missed and almost left too late. I don't think I'd leave anything more than a week now
Always best to get checked over if not getting better

Sorry you are poorly op I hope you get some help tomorrow xx

Called the GP bang on 8am, was fourth in the queue waited on hold for 15 minutes and they have no appointments "all were booked months in advance", earliest available is 4th November 😳 she suggested to go to a local pharmacy.

That's crap OP, the 4th November is ages away. Given that you're breathless to the point of having to rest after going upstairs and still feeling breathless when seated and have a noisy chest, I would suggest you call 111 for advice. Hopefully you will eventually get a callback from someone who can make an informed decision about whether you need to be seen to rule out a chest infection.

Yes call 111

Flu can be nasty! I had it a few years ago (pre Covid) and had to go to hospital for supplemental oxygen for a night, that really helped!

You sound like me back in July op I ended up on 2 lots of antibiotics for the ear infection I got and then later another antibiotic for my chest. I'm still coughing daily and dh wants me to go back to gp.. I don't think my current cough will respond to antibiotics so haven't.

I would go to GP if I was you.

111 or go to urgent care/ minor injury centre if you have one nearby. You need to be seen.

You've just described my exact symptoms. I tested positive for Covid on 11th Sept.

Get as much rest as possible. Keep warm. Lemsip or similar will help with the general grotty feeling. Warm lemon barley water will sooth the sore throat. I put a tot of whisky in barley water before I go to bed. Sleep propped up on pillows to avoid coughing and get as much sleep as you can.

I'm just starting to feel better now. 🙂

I'm not sure there's much the doc can do unless he'll prescribe anti-virals.

wtf, that is shocking. They are supposed to keep some appointments back for urgent appointments! You could have a nasty chest infection going on there. Do they have an online system? If so I'd send a message saying you're very concerned about infection/pneumonia and want an appointment urgently.

Chest infection will need antibiotics

go to a walk in clinic. I was the same a few years ago, it was 'just flu'. 'Just flu' meant I avoided the doctors and ended up in hospital with pnuemonia