how long would you give a rattly chest before going to the doc's

[stoppinattwo]

DD and DS have been barking for about 4 days (well nights tbh). They sounds quite chesty this morning but Arnt terribly ill with it and are going to school, iykwim...........just sounds bad I think, but at the back of mind im thinking, how long do i let this go on before asking advice. I certainly dont want to do any long term damage by not seeking advice but dont want to waste anyone elses appointment time when neither are really that ill, they arnt asthmatic and DS is still doing a lot of sports, (his has dragged on now for about 2 weeks) after running around he needs a good cough and it sounds like there is stuff on his chest (sorry if TMI).........but neither is actually ill with a temperature. Not sure what to do.

How old are they? If they 're not very young or vulnerable, I'd be tempted to let it run it's course. V. little they can do for coughs anyway.

Oh forgot to put ages on..........DS is 8 and DD is 5, He has had his chesty cough for about 2 weeks thinking back, DD has just been this week, i do tend to let things run their course, dont believe too many antibiotics are good. but was worried as dad suffered with asthma after a bad bout of chest infection left his lungs weakened

DD2 (also 8) has had a chesty cough for 2 weeks too. 5 is much younger thought, and for your own peace of mind perhaps a visit will put it at rest. Explain the asthma thing and that you're worried hereditary may play a part in it.

But don't let them prescribe ABs unless they really insist, which I doubt they will

thanks EG

Hi Stoppin - don't know if you'll see this, but I've just recovered from weeks of this very same thing - not feeling ill, but horrible chesty cough, and bringing up gunk (sorry!)... I finally went to the doctor this last Monday and he said it was a pretty bad chest infection.. not happy to give me anti'bs though... until he found out I was leaving for a 100km trek next Saturday and haven't slept properly for days! I felt better by Wednesdsay.

Having said that DS had exactly the same, no anti'bs and he's fine now too, so maybe it really had just run it's course. Depends on how you/they are feeling after 4/5 weeks :-)

probably been no help at all contradicting myself.... ?!