111 service

[AtSomePointInLife]

DS had a bad cough, snotty nose 3 weeks ago. Waited few days to see if it would go. Took me 2 days to get him in docs, they sent him away with antihistamines. Cold went but not the cough. This weekend it's got much worse and the cold is back rang docs Friday, no apps left. Rang pharmacist yesterday, advised to ring 111. Filled out form online yesterday but kept resulting in errors. Filled out another form today but still errors, thought maybe internet connection 🤷‍♀️ decided to ring them and I'm currently on hold for 3 hours. DS is constantly coughing but well in himself. I know I won't be able to get in the doctors tomorrow before I even try, my only other option is take him a&e which have 120 people up there as I've checked online.

What other options do I have? I want antibiotics for him, he has green yellow snot. It's an infection and just a course of antibiotics will clear this up. But I can't get through to anyone 😭😭😭

I've given him calpol for slight temp. He's 8 years old.

If he doesn't have a high fever and is well in himself bar coughing and green snot, it doesn't sound like he needs antibiotics as it is likely to be viral and antibiotics will not work. A + E not appropriate with the symptoms you have listed, I would stay on hold to 111 and try again with the online form to see which works first. They can triage if he needs to be seen by a GP or whether it can wait until tomorrow when they are open. It is a hard time to get medical help at the moment and I feel for you. If you are really concerned then take him to A + E but I think you'll be in for a very long wait. Hope he feels better soon x

It sounds viral and very unlikely they'd give antibiotics to be honest. I wouldn't be taking a well in himself child to A&E. You'll be sitting waiting for 8-10 hours.

Lots of fluids, keep topped up with calpol if needed and rest.
My son is exactly the same, 3 weeks of a cough that improved then got worse again. Full of snot too and a temperature on and off. Otherwise he is ok.
I've propped up his mattress so he isn't lying flat at night and we are riding it out.

I can't see why he needs to see a gp for a cough and cold, particularly if he's well in himself.

Do you have bupa? They have a gp service called Babylon. There are a few online gp providers but I don’t think one would really help.

It doesn’t sound like he needs antibiotics, if it’s a cold then it’s a virus.

Is this some kind of tory language i am too poor to understand 😭

I too don't think this sounds bacterial and needs antibitoics. Sounds viral! Viral can last and linger for a long while! There is so much about so I understand you may be feeling anxious about it.
I also don't think this is an A&E jobby either. If anything, stick to 111 for now.

Doesn't sound bacterial. If he's well in himself, what's the problem?

There was no availability on Babylon without 24h last time I checked!

If he was unwell in himself I'd be worried. He's not.

I think you need to let the cough run its course.

Have you tested for covid ?

Thanks for all the advice. His cough has been bad for weeks and not shifting. Finally managed to get an appointment with OofH and the doctor gave him antibiotics so hopefully this will now shift.

111 is receiving 100% more calls than predicted so this is why you’ve had to wait for a long period of time.