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Original poster

Can I go to the doctors for a cough ?

89 replies

Charley198 · 22/07/2021 23:54

I have a cough and a really tight chest, I have had it since Monday. I've done 2 negative LFTs and have no other covid symptoms. I'm going away on Monday and my nephew is currently on day 8 of isolation because a pcr test carried out on his classmate last week has still not been processed (Yr 6 so missed his last week at school based on this childs positive LFT, such a shame).
I'm worried if I go for a pcr I'll be isolating till I get results which I'm pretty certain will be negative, and I have so much to do before my hols.
Equally I don't want to not be seen as I do feel that I have a chest infection coming.
Would I get to see a Dr for this or would they enforce a negative pcr beforehand?
And am I being unreasonable by not going for a pcr?
Never sure when LFT is acceptable.

OP posts:
yikesanotherbooboo · 23/07/2021 07:47

Well done OP, at least these threads provide education. As a HCP said above; the vast majority of patients phoning the surgery with covid symptoms have not had a PCR. Some have done LFTs . The messaging on this has gone disastrously wrong. Surgeries are trying to open a bit but like all places of work have staff members isolating and huge pressure on Drs, Nurses, HCAs etc. It is on all of us to be responsible. By the way, if you are very unwell help will be there for you.

Sally872 · 23/07/2021 07:49

Glad you have test booked. Hope you get negative results through really quick Flowers

peasando · 23/07/2021 07:50

I had to go to doctor this week with suspected tonsillitis. No cough, no significant temp, no classic covid symptoms - just sore throat, headache, earache, white stuff on tonsils, classic tonsillitis.

The doctor (quite rightly) still insisted on a PCR test - she said especially with the new variants, some people's symptoms are presenting just as head colds and it was important to still get tested.

If I'd had any of the classic symptoms (e.g. new cough like you) PCR would have been my first port of call before even contacting GP.

As for taking up time you want to spend preparing for your holiday, (i) if your test is positive you won't be going anyway (suspect this is the real reason behind your reluctance) and (ii) I got my (negative) results back on the same day - did my test at 11am and got results at about 6:30pm. Appreciate that's probably dependent on what part of the country you're in but still, not a big sacrifice in the grand scheme of things.

peasando · 23/07/2021 07:51

Sorry, didn't RTFT - glad you have test booked. Good luck!

MildredPuppy · 23/07/2021 07:52

I am glad you booked a pcr. The results are coming quickly now

We seem to be very lucky with our gp. But both my son and i have been seen with covid symptims whilst waiting for pcr results to come back. They have a red zone portacabin which you park outside and a fully ppe doctor takes you in there to listen to your chest etc.

rishisboater · 23/07/2021 07:55

Op doesn't say she has a continuous cough. If she doesn't then no need for a PCR

I wouldn't go to the doctors with a cough though and I doubt you'll get past the triage unless you are struggling to breath or have actual chest pains. They don't see people for coughs unless it's been a good few weeks.

pastafeend · 23/07/2021 07:56

Op doesn't say she has a continuous cough. If she doesn't then no need for a PCR

She has had it since Monday so it's not a one off

dementedpixie · 23/07/2021 07:58

@rishisboater

Op doesn't say she has a continuous cough. If she doesn't then no need for a PCR

I wouldn't go to the doctors with a cough though and I doubt you'll get past the triage unless you are struggling to breath or have actual chest pains. They don't see people for coughs unless it's been a good few weeks.

It's a new cough though. New coughs need a PCR
Cotswoldmama · 23/07/2021 08:12

When I had a test a couple of weeks ago I got the result at 3am the following morning. It's really quick so you'll know soon enough either way.

PurpleDaisies · 23/07/2021 08:23

You don’t often seeposters admit they’ve for things wrong. Good on you op for doing the right thing. Hope the PCR comes back quickly and negative, and your chest improves. Flowers

catfunk · 23/07/2021 08:26

You have one of the 3 realtor obvious Covid symptoms. You need to isolate and book a PCR ASAP.

PurpleDaisies · 23/07/2021 08:29

@catfunk

You have one of the 3 realtor obvious Covid symptoms. You need to isolate and book a PCR ASAP.
She did. This thread is quickly going to become annoying with people who don’t even bother to just read the op’s posts.
GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 23/07/2021 08:54

Well done, OP! Hope your results come back quickly and they are negative.

Orchidflower1 · 23/07/2021 09:21

Glad you booked a pcr @Charley198 - hope you feel better soon. Let us know how you get on. 🌸

Idroppedthescrewinthetuna · 23/07/2021 09:42

Op doesn't say she has a continuous cough. If she doesn't then no need for a PCR
The rules are not continuous cough, it is now any new cough.

LFQuery · 23/07/2021 09:43

@Charley198

Thanks all. To clarify I work from home so haven't been anywhere anyway this week where I've been in contact with people and my food shops are always delivered. I have been out for a walk late in the evening every day. I have a pcr booked for 8am this morn at a local test centre. Thanks for the advice and sorry that I've been foolish.
Good luck. Fingers crossed you get a negative result and feel well enough by Monday for your holiday.
TuesdayRuby · 23/07/2021 09:45

If it makes any difference, there is a horrible non-Covid cough/chest infection going around at the moment. Cue lots of scared looks when you’re in the supermarket having a coughing fit! Hopefully your test will be negative and you can continue your plans!

Pissinthepottyplease · 23/07/2021 09:46

You have one of the classic coronavirus symptoms but you don’t want to isolate for 24 hours to get a PCR test. Fuck the lives of vulnerable people - your need not to isolate for 24 hours is more important than others lives? You are the most unreasonable person I have ever come across on MN and I’ve been here for many years.

PurpleDaisies · 23/07/2021 09:46

@Pissinthepottyplease

You have one of the classic coronavirus symptoms but you don’t want to isolate for 24 hours to get a PCR test. Fuck the lives of vulnerable people - your need not to isolate for 24 hours is more important than others lives? You are the most unreasonable person I have ever come across on MN and I’ve been here for many years.
You are unreasonable for not reading the thread.

The op accepted she was in the wrong. She has booked a PCR.

Idroppedthescrewinthetuna · 23/07/2021 09:47

Oh hang on I just reread. It is 3 coughing episodes in 24 hours. Or a lot more for over an hour. So the way continuous is defined is just a new cough but not a one off coughing episode.

Also, my relative was not well. LFT was negative. Pcr positive. So LFTs are just an indicator to pick up asymptomatic cases but are not actually a determiner to actually having covid. They just pick up some cases that may have gone unidentified

Pissinthepottyplease · 23/07/2021 09:47

Good. I should have read the thread but I was so very angry that the OP has been choosing to putting people’s lives at risk.

Original poster
Charley198 · 23/07/2021 11:17

Hi all. Had the test this morning, was in and our in 10 mins all very straightforward. The guy as I left said the results are coming back quickly so fingers crossed I get good news🤞 before my hols.
Thanks again

OP posts:
Puppysharness · 23/07/2021 12:12

Glad you managed to get a PCR. Hope it turns out ok and you’re able to go on your trip.

But, even in the absence of covid- is this how people use GPs? For new coughs in otherwise healthy people?

If so, it’s no surprise it’s a nightmare getting a GP appointment. If I did this, I would expect the GP to turn me away and say ‘come back when you’ve been coughing for three weeks’. What else can they do?

Original poster
Charley198 · 23/07/2021 12:15

@Puppysharness for me it's more the breathlessness which is my issue than the cough. I've suffered with my chest since having pleurisy a couple of years back and often need a short course of antibiotics to get me over it before it turns particularly bad

OP posts:
Puppysharness · 23/07/2021 12:15

Thanks for the context Op.