Chest infection- when to see GP?

[WonkyBricks]

At what point do you need to see a GP when you have a chest infection?

I had a dry wheezy cough Christmas week which then became chesty New Year's Day. Temp started on Wednesday and although I'm fine during the day it keeps spiking at night. It was 38.3 even after paracetamol last night. I've had headaches and joint pain, these have subsided a lot but I'm taking regular paracetamol/ibuprofen.

The NHS website says no antibiotics needed for most chest infections but my line manager and other people I've spoken to have said I should get some?

I'm normally fit and well, no underlying health issues. Never had a chest infection before!

A temperature would suggest virus rather than bacterial infection so unlikely you need antibiotics. In fact I had all those symptoms a few weeks a go and it was COVID. The cough lasts ages but it's viral.

Thank you! I did initially think Covid but I've done numerous tests and they've all been negative.

Just don't want work to think I'm taking the Mick by not seeing a GP, but feel like I wouldn't get a GP appt in the first place anyway

I have lots of underlying health conditions including a lung condition.
My criteria for seeing a GP with a chest infection is when I am very short of breath. So out of breath when talking or after mild activity. Just a cough or temperature I would give it longer.

I've always had temperatures with bacterial chest infections.
And it can start out viral and end up bacterial.

I've had similar to you, very similar progress and timing but no temp that I've measured and coupled with gastric symptoms. It's possible the chest infection was brewing whilst I had a gastric thing first from Christmas day (I thought it was bad when I started swigging gaviscon before the turkey!!)

I'm wiped out and feel sick all the time. It's been going on 2 weeks particularly the cough and low energy/ head fog/ice pick headache.

My head and chest has been full of green gunk for a week. My stomach hurts from coughing.

I went to doctors yesterday but I was coupling it with request to do something about ongoing regular heartburn and nausea.

He listened to my chest and said it was fine (I can tell it's clearing). He said that after 3 -4 weeks they'd do chest x ray (not in my case, just generally).

I'm just floored by this. It's ridiculous how long I've been ill. Thoroughly fed up!

Not tested. I don't see how calling it covid helps.

Quite right, can start viral then become bacterial. Temp or lack of, not especially relevant.
Are you coughing anything up OP?
If so, what colour, how much, what consistence?

Also, are you short of breath, do you have a Sat's monitor? (Lots of people got them during covid)
In a fit person with no underlying health problems, it shoyld read 97% or above.

sats

I have a chest infection at tge moment that started before Xmas.

NYD I felt dreadful and phoned 111 and got a gp appointment.

I was prescribed antibiotics and an inhaler for my wheezy chest. I have not had a temperature, but been wiped out for 3 weeks now.

Hoping to be well enough for work on Monday as missed the whole last week of term.

Its been a while. Best get a face to face appointment and get your chest listened to.

Do not settle for a telephone appointment because they cant hear your chest over the phone!!!

And go back if you dont feel better.

@ZenNudist wiped out, low energy, nausea, gastric upset, cough, headache, brain fog - all point to covid. Didn't the GP ask if you had tested?
I realise it won't necessarily make a difference to your own treatment but if you ended up with long covid it would be useful to know it was covid.

I was told that it was 6 weeks before you should see a Dr for a cough by my GP, I ended up getting ABs after 4 though. They didn't work as it was viral and the only point the doctors got worried was when my chest started rattling ( I could hear it) at which point they sent me to hospital immediately for a chedt x ray, which was clear. It took about 12 weeks before the virus went. But if you are worried I would keep on at your GP.

A temperature would suggest virus rather than bacterial infection

That's not true, and dangerous advice.
My nephew started out with a chest infection which developed into pneumonia. @WonkyBricks I think you really need to talk to a medical professional and not seek advice from randoms on an internet forum.

I hope you feel better soon

I'm not sure how you know it's a chest infection, if you haven't seen a doctor?
And let's face it, most things do get better with time.
Also, antibiotics are over-prescribed and therefore less effective, so they are best avoided.
If it was me, I'd just push on and wait for it to get better, but everyone has different views, so you do whatever you think - online comments will make no difference.

Yellow or green phlegm is a sign of infection. Have you got that?

Ok so I suspect I have a chest infection, just from the way it started as a dry cough which then became phlegmy and productive. When I've been lying flat I do get a bit crackly but I'm not struggling to breathe as such. Picking my kids up from nursery yesterday was an effort, it's only a 10 min walk and I was sweating by the time I got there. Plus the temp, aching joints, headache. Not sure what colour the phlegm is as I just swallow it 🤢

I would absolutely prefer to avoid antibiotics but equally don't want to martyr myself and prolong things, especially when I've got little ones and work to consider.

I also hate trying to get a GP appointment, missed the boat this morning anyway by the time I dragged myself out of bed.

Hey @ZenNudist how are you feeling now? You have exactly described my symptoms - especially the gastro (it's miserable!) upper stomach pain, nausea, heartburn - All come on with a cough/flu symptoms. (I've never suffered with heartburn before, not even in pregnancy! )
My cough started on 23/12/24 and the awful gastro started on 25th - yep Christmas morning! I'm now on day 23 (yep I'm counting!) and the sick feeling has subsided - sometimes still comes back, but the acid tummy pain is still as bad 😞 (worse after eating)
I have a drs appointment for Friday but was just wondering how you are now