At what point do I see a doctor about this chest cough?

[Atwhatpointdo]

Or do I just leave it?

Symptoms since Friday: chest pain, phlemgh, no energy, no voice, occasional fever, very sore throat. Painful cough!

Now I also have a blocked nose.

Is this something I bother the doctor with? Only asking in case it’s an infection and I need antibiotics.

I always feel like I’m wasting the doctor’s time!

I think the typical advice is if a cough hasn’t gone in 3 weeks then see a GP

It’s not just that it’s a cough, it’s a painful plemghy cough. But I don’t want to go and be told to come back in x weeks and then feel guilty for going in the first place!

If it’s just been since Friday I’d leave it a couple of weeks.

With chest pain, phlegm and fever, I'd see a Dr.

Do you have an oximeter to measure your blood oxygen? Does your breathing feel "crackly"? I recently had a cough that escalated very quickly, within five days of having it, and ended up in hospital on oxygen with a chest infection. So the timescale isn't the only thing to consider.

I don’t - but it doesn’t feel crackly. Just a painful chest and the cough / phlegm etc.

I work with children so always have something but this one feels a bit rougher than usual!

I share your pain. Going this morning. Get well soon.

Thank you - I hope you get better soon too!

I don't believe in rushing to the doctor with every cough and cold but my own experience is that I went to the doctor with a bad cough and he completely dimissed me. Didn't even listen to my chest, told me off for coming, said everyone gets coughs and colds in winter and not to waste his time. Within a few days I was in hospital with what was, in fact, pneumonia, and it took a long time to get over. Since this I believe you have to advocate for yourself and get things checked where you feel something isn't right.

A chest infection causes pain but you don't necessarily need antibiotics for it so the nhs website says

There’s a nasty cold going round at the moment. I wouldn’t bother the GP with it unless you really feel something is not right ( other than standard nasty cold/potential flu). Give it two weeks.

I think if you can't tell the difference between an upper respitory tract infection and a chest infection, then you should see the GP.

I'm asthmatic I get at least 4 chesty coughs a year that last 4-6 weeks, but probably only see the GP once every three years about it when I know it's an actual chest infection and I need both antibiotics and steroids.

Generally though, I was always told that unless the chest phelgm was vivid green, it's a virus.

I'd check to be on the safe side.

Well I would always go to a GP with symptoms like this (my Dad died of pneumonia so I suppose I am very paranoid) but then I have asthma so am used to being overly cautious. I rang up Wednesday after a week of virus and despite the initial no appointments was booked in immediately when I mentioned I was worried about a possible chest infection (and got antibiotics). He asked me several times if my chest hurt so I think just go and put your mind at rest? There is a really horrible chesty cold going around atm. If you have that you have my sympathies!

When my daughter had tonsillitis the gp asked if she had a snotty nose. She didn’t which he said meant it was more likely to be bacterial. He said if there is a snotty nose too, it’s more likely to be viral. That was regarding tonsillitis but might be the same principle for other upper respiratory tract infections too. I would probably leave it for now and keep taking paracetamol, lots of fluid and resting. If it gets worse then definitely go in though

Talk to a pharmacist first. They will either give you something or advise you to go to the Dr. There are notices in all our local pharmacies with a list of things you should ask them about before contacting your GP (they can also prescribe certain things).

This is interesting. Definitely yellow that edges towards green - but I’d say yellow!

Day 7 for me , it's awful

That’s good to know! Thank you. There aren’t any GP appointments left today anyway (they’re released each morning).

Haven’t felt so ill in years!! I keep thinking “tomorrow I’ll be better” but then wake up the same. I’ve got work tomorrow onwards - I work with early years children! Not sure I can go in but I cannot stand calling in sick.

Given how awful you feel, it's unlikely to just be a cough/cold. Fever, chest pain shouldn't be dismissed, for the sake of one appointment I'd definitely get this checked as last thing you want it to turn into pneumonia x

Well in any other civilised country with a functioning health system you’d go to doc when worried - here people, particularly middle aged and up, will hold off for fear of pressuring NHS or because they can’t get an appointment or because doc treats everycomer as time waster until you sustain permanent lung damage due to lack of treatment or have something that will kill you now which could have been prevented in country with functional system ….

I made DH go on day 8 because I had run out of sympathy/TLC and because his phlegm was green - but dull green, not vivid. His lovely gp listened to his chest, gave him lots of sympathy but no antibiotics and used the time to talk about another ongoing issue he has . . .

These things are usually self-limiting. I wouldn’t see a GP, primarily because it’s so fucking difficult to get an appointment but also because it’s unlikely to be a chest infection at this stage.

See your pharmacist at the local Chemist.

Both my husband I have had this and are in week three. I had to see the Nurse Practitioner as I could hear creaking a squeaking from my chest. Had antibiotics and still have a cough. Husband was pretty much recovered then last night he felt shivery and feverish and his Apple Watch kept giving high heart rate readings. We are closing our doors on Christmas Day and not moving till 2025!