Chest infections - antibiotics any good, or just stay home?

[anonEnormousJuicybird]

I woke up on Saturday night with very short breath and a searing pain in my chest. I got up, coughed for what seemed like a long time to try and clear the gunk and finally got some more sleep. Spent yesterday not doing a lot, but the pain and cough and gunk remained (not surprisingly).

I haven't had anything like this for years, but from (vague) memory, I think that when I went to the doctor they said that the vast majority of these types of mild-ish chest conditions are in fact viral and anti biotics are no use.

Is there an easy way to distinguish between a viral and a bacterial infection, an obvious symptom that one has but the other doesn't? I want to be better before the weekend (obviously!) so if antib's would help then great, but equally do not want to drag two small children to the surgery, expose us all to more germs, wait ages and waste the doctors time....

TIA for any tips.

Yes, the doctor should be able to tell by listening to your chest whether it's bacterial or not. So I would go to GP asap.

If the gunk you coughed up is greeny then there's a good chance its infected. If you're short of breath the Dr might prescribe an inhaler which is brilliant help when you're struggling.

When I first got bronchitis a few years ago I left it til I couldn't lie down and breathe, had to sleep sitting up. DH told me off well and truly and made me go to the docs. He prescribed antibiotics and an inhaler and it made a world of difference. I could climb stairs again without collapsing at the top.

Do go to the doctor - its what they're there for.

I would go to docs ASAP. Both myself and 7 month old DD have an awful chest infection, 3 days in and finally the antibiotics have kicked in. I have heard of so many people with it, doc said there must be a particularly nasty germ doing the rounds!

I have been sleeping the last two nights half sitting up which has helped but mostly kept awake by the rattle and drum sound coming from my chest. Been breathing very shallow just as not to aggravate it in the middle of the night and wake the whole house.

Have not looked at the colour of the gunk, but there is plenty of it! No fever, mild headache and rather tired are the other symptoms. Not severe,, other than the pain in the chest.

Hmm. I think I might need to go - it's just the thought of dragging two very tired DC and the inevitable wait in the surgery waiting room!!!!

Go. To. The. Doctor. This afternoon. Sitting up to sleep and shallow breaths means you are proper poorly and it won't get better by itself.

Do It.

I went.
You were all right. Thanks for telling me to do it!

I now have double dose antibiotics for a confirmed nasty chest infection.

AND clearly it WAS destined to be the right thing to do as we were seen within 2 minutes of arriving. The gods were looking down!

Thanks all.

Oh good, (that you went, not that you're ill), glad you got something. Fingers crossed you're better for christmas.