To see the GP with productive cough that’s lasted 4 weeks?

[Theoriginalinvisiblewoman]

5 weeks ago I developed a sore throat, which turned into tonsillitis. I had a 10 day course of penicillin, but then I also came down with a cold and a cough. The congestion was really bad, I couldn’t hear properly for a good 10 days and the cough was productive. Well it’s been 4 weeks since the cough developed and it’s still ongoing! I’m feeling OK in myself, no temperature and I don’t feel unwell. I am just having bouts of feeling like my chest and throat is very tickly when I breathe in (I can breathe OK, no shortness of breath thankfully) and then I’ll spend a couple of hours coughing to bring up the congestion and then I’ll be OK for a few days until it starts up again. I don’t think I have a chest infection but it’s starting to concern me now as just when I think it’s getting better and going, it’ll come back again! Is it worth seeing the GP (I feel like I practically live there just lately, which is what is making me hesitant 😬) or is it likely to just be a post viral cough and a waste of their time?

NHS website guidance is to see a GP if you’ve a cough for 3 weeks or more. It might be post viral, but it might be a lingering infection, definitely worth getting checked out

Go and get it checked, won't do any harm to.

I'm on month 8 of having a cough, nothing helping really so far.

I would try the chemist first as they sell better products than supermarkets imo, if that doesn't help then GP. As I get older I find coughs harder to get rid of and most take 5-6 weeks to fully go.

@Namechangenamechanged Thanks, yes I have read that but I also read someone on here posted that they went after to see their GP after having a cough for 3 weeks and was told there was nothing they could do! 😳 So I am second guessing myself now.

@trampoline123 trampoline123 Oh goodness, 8 months?! 😳 It must be driving you mad! I’m sorry to hear that, has your GP not given you any help or referred you on for a chest x-ray?

@INeedAnotherName Thanks, I did that and got some Broncho stop and some decongestants but they haven’t helped unfortunately. That’s why I’m not keen on seeking out the GP as I’ve read post viral coughs can take 8 weeks to go, I’m just concerned because it’s a productive cough.

I think you probably need to speak with a gp again as your symptoms haven't fully resolved.

I don't think it fits with a "see your gp if you have a bought for more than three weeks" rule because you are already being treated for a chest infection.

I had a bad chest infection as a fit and healthy 31 year old that lasted 6 weeks and two course of antibiotics. I felt dreadful for 4 weeks brought for a week and had an annoying cough for a few weeks.

Also depends what you are coughing up hard pellets of purulent green pus or just clear mucus? Sorry to be grim!

GP said it can take a while and may be a
"Grumbling" recovery.

Sorry typos
bought = cough
Brought = rough

I think the three week rule is for people who haven't seen their GP at all in that period

But yes call the surgery and speak with someone this week.

I have had a cough since the 11th September - I think it was a chest infection as my chest was really painful. No other illness. It has got better slowly and now just bothers me slightly in the morning after sleep but even that is improving. I think it's called post viral something or other?

Non medical opinion - if you feel well and just based on those symptoms, no, I wouldn't see the GP. Coughs can take a long long time to clear up. If I was worried it was a secondary infection or asthma then, yes, I would. I wouldn't ignore it for months though, so if it continued for weeks longer I might go. I might speak to a pharmacist first though, see what they thought.

I'd take him to the nearest children's A&E.