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Original poster

Would you go to the doctors over a cough?

32 replies

BiscuitGate · 29/12/2019 09:56

There's some kind of lurgy going round my house at the moment, mainly just coughing, coldy type symptoms with feeling really hot. My family member has had it for 2 days and got an appointment with the GP because of it. Would you say this is a good enough reason to go to thw doctors? I can't get an appointment to see the GP about other things for months, even for my 2 year old! Would you go to the doctors for a cough/cold?

OP posts:
Lampan · 29/12/2019 09:57

Not a cough for 2 days no!!
There is advice when to see a GP about a cough but it’s when you have had it for weeks (3?) rather than 2 days. What a waste of the GP’s time.

Tableclothing · 29/12/2019 09:58

Not for a cold. I believe that the advice is you should see a doctor for a cough if it has gone on for longer than 3 weeks.

I guess it might be different if you have pre existing health conditions.

Lweji · 29/12/2019 09:58

Yes, but not after 2 days!

I've had coughs lasting weeks on end. Really bad loud ones, making me tired and sounding like I was in distress. That's when I went to see a doctor.

BrotherlyLove · 29/12/2019 09:59

No bloody way.

Original poster
BiscuitGate · 29/12/2019 10:02

As far as I'm aware there are no lre existing medical conditions. I understand being worried about your health but maybe I'm feeling a bit bitter because i can never seem to get appointments over genuine things. Im also wondering how they managed to get the appointment so quickly without saying its an emergency Hmm

OP posts:
QueenWhatevs · 29/12/2019 10:03

None of us can really say though can they, based on what you've given. If its a very old person, someone immunosuppressed, if they're having crackles and wheezing and real shortness of breath, if they're asthmatic, all these things might mean that its not 'just a cough'. I ignored 'just a cough' for ages, it was a fairly bad lower lung infection, needed antibiotics to shift, I couldn't walk the length of myself by the time I got seen.

On the other hand, if you're going to drip feed that they're a 26 year old marathon runner with a long history of overdramatics then, well done, you're a better person than they are.

Lipperfromchipper · 29/12/2019 10:04

No!! Mostly because I would have to pay €50 for the pleasure! But even if it was “free”...NO!! What a waste of nhs time and resources Hmm

misspiggy19 · 29/12/2019 10:05

Time waster. 2 day cough? What a joke

CooCooCoo · 29/12/2019 10:10

The advice is 3 weeks.

No wonder people struggle to get a GP appointment what a total joke your relative is. I hope they tell them they’re wasting their time

Original poster
BiscuitGate · 29/12/2019 10:10

QueenWhatevs not really intending to drip feed because it was a broad question, I'd be happy to answer any futher questions Grin. Also I don't think I'm better than anyone, quite the opposite if anything. Not sure what's got you all riled up

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BeyondMyWits · 29/12/2019 10:10

It depends. Me, no - would wait (a hypothetical) 3-4 weeks unless it was affecting my day to day life/breathing etc. (never had a cough last that long)

MIL - yes - practically the minute she gets a cough she needs steroids and antibiotics, or she ends up in hospital.

Depends entirely on each individual person and their medical history.

Selfsettling3 · 29/12/2019 10:13

Just a cough no. We have all had coughs recently including my immosupressed DH, 3 yr old and the 5 month old. None of us have gone to the doctors about it.

Both the children have had emergency same day appointment recently, one for an ear infection and the other for a suspected uti. I’m very lucky in that our GPs will always fit in children on the same day.

Original poster
BiscuitGate · 29/12/2019 10:13

As not to drip feed they are in their mid twenties, no pre existing medical conditions, no prior history of health problems or health problems relating to breathing, lung function or infection.

OP posts:
Original poster
BiscuitGate · 29/12/2019 10:15

Selfsettling3 we have all had it in our house recently too, including my 2 year old. To be fair as well in the past the doctors have always seen my daughter on the same day too for semi urgent things

OP posts:
amaryl · 29/12/2019 10:17

A cough to me means a chest infection, so yes.

bobstersmum · 29/12/2019 10:28

Hmmm, it depends on the symptoms to be honest. A very high temperature (39+), feeling like absolute death and crackling when breathing then yes I would go after 2 days because it could be an infection or even pneumonia. If its just a cough and cold then I wouldn't even think of going the Dr's.

Elieza · 29/12/2019 10:47

If the phlegm they are coughing up is not green (green is a sign of infection) and their chest is not crackling and no breathing difficulties I’d suggest they wait a few weeks before bothering an overstretched health service. The doctor will likely do nothing as they don’t suffer from chest problems and it won’t require antibiotics at this stage as it could well be viral. They would have been better visiting their pharmacy for a good bottle, wrapping up and taking plenty fluids.

There are two bugs doing the rounds just now. The cough bug which is mega phlegm that keeps you awake coughing the minute you lie down or turn over in bed. And the knife sharp pains in the throat bug. Both accompanied by heat as the body raises the temperature to kill the bugs.

Both bugs are lasting about four weeks. I’ve had one and now have the other. Two weeks respite between, which apparently the norm too! Great Sad

Disillusioneddaisy · 29/12/2019 10:50

I went for a bad cough lately. I had pain in my chest and was bringing up a lot of gunk. Had a chest infection and needed antibiotics so I don't think it's unreasonable to get it checked out if you have these symptoms.

Just a normal cough/cold I would ride out

FAQs · 29/12/2019 10:55

No, go and see a pharmacist they are usually incredibly helpful with that sort of thing.

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 29/12/2019 10:55

"As far as I'm aware there are no lre existing medical conditions."

This, and your other posts, makes me think you are not especially close to them/know that extremely well (after all you are posting to judge their behaviour on the internet, and invite others to judge them. It's possibly your SIL, they always seem to be about SILs Wink)

If they are mid twenties, they are old enough to be private about their own health. You can not know categorically/for sure that they don't have something else going on.

If the question is that whether someone you know absolutely for sure (and I don't think this can ever be true for another adult) who doesn't have any health issues, is going to the doctor for a two day cough, is unreasonable - of course they are and surely you don't need MN to tell you this

(Yes, I am terribly grumpy today in case you can't tell WinkYou also sound a bit like my SILGrin

Original poster
BiscuitGate · 29/12/2019 10:58

webuilciscity I am infact also very grumpy today, im not even sure why i made this post, probably just being bitter

OP posts:
sproutsgalore · 29/12/2019 11:00

In an otherwise healthy adult with no other medical conditions - seeing the doctor after 2 days of a cough is a complete waste of time. Go to the pharmacist.

In a young child, frail elderly person or someone with breathing difficulties, immunosuppressed or with an ongoing medical condition then yes, see the GP.

They usually say go to the doctor if a cough has lasted over 2 weeks, don't they?

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 29/12/2019 11:04

Well biscuit if I find my missing chocolates (the reason for my grumpiness) I will offer you one Grin

To make up for my former peevishness towards you, a piece of advice I received on MN, was that if you are having problems seeing a GP, if you contact the practice manager they should sort it out for you. Worked for me.

Original poster
BiscuitGate · 29/12/2019 11:13

webuiltciscity thanks for the advice! What kind of chocolate was it? We have a huge bowl here Im trying to distribute off as my little boy is trying to climb sofas and bookshelves to get to! Will gladly send some your way Grin

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getyourbollocksoutofmyface · 29/12/2019 11:27

Depends on the symptoms - last time I had a cough, I ended up on doxicycline with diagnosis of ambulatory pneumonia .

Winter before that I had a vaguely sore back for a week or so - family said it was ‘just’ a strained muscle and just ignore ... Bilateral pleurisy and I ended up being in bed for a week .

I’m mid 20s and at the time I was a student , non smoker, fit and healthy .

Since those times I’m quite wary of any respiratory illnesses ... seems I’m not a good judge of when I’m poorly !

I do usually keep to the three week rule though, and thankfully haven’t had a cough that’s needing seeing for years .