Would you go to the doctors right now

[Cocoandclive27]

Not because I suspect coronavirus! I'm not that daft.

But I've been unwell for the past week with a mouth infection treated by the dentist with antibiotics. I've now got sore throat and earache which could be possible spread of infection or something separate. I'm in two minds about the doctors because I'm a) im trying to keep away from people as much as possible if I can help it and b) im not sure if they will be able to give me anything to help since I've already been on antibiotics for the past week anyway so surely if it were treatable these would have cleared it up? Might just be something that needs to run its course.

Would you ride it out or go today? Are people generally avoiding the doctors unless it's urgent?

I would call them

Call them. They may be able to help over the phone but if not I would go in yes. I hope you feel better soon.

Ask for a phone appointment. A lot of surgeries have cancelled routine appointments anyway.

Mine are doing telephone triage and then only bringing in people who have to come in to reduce the risk of spread. Very sensible! On a side note do not let your infection go untreated. I had a friend who had that and it was so painful for her. I think she had to have it drained or something. Hope you feel better.

Husband has developed an issue totally unlinked to CV and he's going to phone them today and see what the score is - guidance on website is to phone rather than turn up.

My surgery has suspended face to face appointments - it’s all phone consultations now so I’d be surprised if you got one.

GP is also recommending staying home as much as possible with no unnecessary travel or trips outside.

I was prescribed antibiotics by the dentist last week and have just about completed the course. My mouth feels mostly better, not fully. But now my throat and ears are hurting so not sure if it's linked or not. I'm just worried about going in because there have been reported cases in my area and don't want to run the risk of infection right now especially if the doctors don't give me anything anyway.

No idea if they are doing telephone triage, seems like a good idea but not sure how they can diagnose people without seeing them!

Yes do phone them, if the pain has spread you really do need medical advice.

You couid also try ringing the dentist who treated you and explaining what is still wrong. They might just bounce you back to the GP if onwards treatment is needed, but should be able to explain what's going on and what you need to say to GP about events to date

seems like a good idea but not sure how they can diagnose people without seeing them!

By taking a really good history. They might need to see you, but for a lot of things they can prescribe treatment that you pick up from a pharmacy.

Since you're already being treated by the dentist perhaps first thing is to talk to them about whether the earache and sore throat could be related. You might need a longer antibiotic course, or you might need work to get to the root (literally, possibly) of the problem. Having an oral infection grumbling away can affect your general health IME.

I would try and be seen, by doctor or dentist. I had a wisdom tooth infection that spread into my jawbone and had similar symptoms to you

I was very ill and ended up in hospital on IV antibiotics

Thanks for all the comments. As you suggested the dr is doing telephone appointments and will give me a call back later today. Still not sure how that will work as with something like this they usually need to examine the affected area :/ but I'll see what happens

Glad you are calling.y surgery have been great. Called and got through straight away, sent my sons prescription straight to the pharmacy to pick up. They are being much more flexible due to the current situation.

Get well soon