Any doctors or nurses could tell me if it is worth seeing my GP about my cough? Or ANYONE actually?

[Coldtits]

I have had a cough for 2 weeks, and have started coughing up thick green phlegm. Breathing is difficult and although not painful, is uncomfortable first thing in the morning.

Is it worth going to the doctor for antibiotics or is this a viral thing that will shift itself? I HATE taking antibiotics, but I will if I have to

don't know but i have had green stuff, sore throat and cough for 3 weeks and wondering the same.

i think if you are having difficulty breathing it might be an idea to see someone.

get well soon and maybe wrap those tits up!

Deffo see the doctor if you have green phlegm - the same thing recently happened to me and was cleared up with a week of antibiotics.

There's alot of it going around... the nasty green/yellow stuff usually means an infection and you don't want it getting worse.

Ring them up and describe your symptoms over the phone. They can prescribe ABs over the phone if need be.

yes, if green stuff go and see the doc. Going to find out isn't wasting time or resources - going and demanding ABs no matter what the diagnosis is!

there is a lot going around. Well worth seeing the gp with green phlegm.

As the others have said, green phlegm means you almost certainly need ABs. Go to see the doctor asap!

Sounds like a chest infection, therefore see doc without delay.

yes, agree - def sounds like chest infection. I've just got over the same - had course of antibiotics which cleared it up nicely and I feel great now! Get well soon!

Green phlegm usually sign of an infection - could be viral or bacterial.

Try sleeping propped up a bit, and sit somewhere steamy whenever you can - or do the head in a towel over basin of hot water thing.

How's your temperature?

Is that right? I looked on the NHS website and it said self care at home was fine.

I think it depends though, I feel rough and have been coughing up nasty green stuff but actually took temp and don't have one.

I've no probs breathing though, I think that's the main thing Colditz, you probably should go and see Dr. Sorry mate.

If it's viral, yes, that's right - if viral then ab's won't do anything.

So it could be viral. But breathing being uncomfy needs looking at.

Message withdrawn

Have been reading more and it does seem that only 5-10% of coughs like this (even with the green stuff and pain in chest etc) are bacterial. The rest is viral bronchitis.

Colditz I hope you got on alright yesterday, how are you now?

Christiana, sorry you're having trouble, there's nothing worse than being pg and ill.

I think that a cough that persists for more than two weeks requires a doctor visit. Hope you get better soon though.

if the cough follows a cold it can be mucus dripping down behind the nose and then being coughed up or it could be coming from deep in the chest.It also depends on whether there are any crackles heard thru the stethoscope in the chest and if you smoke,have asthma or other chest condition makes bact infection more likely.
So if its the back of your nose and throat,should settle in day or two,if its chesty,see gp for them to have a listen and give ab if theres anything to hear

does the same apply for children? DD2 is classed as asthmatic.she told me she's coughed up green phlegm this morning.says it's never happened before.

I would go. 2 weeks is a reasonable time to put up with a cough before going, your symptoms have progressed and you have some shortness of breath.

You've tried treating it yourself at home and you are finding breathing uncomfortable. Green phlegm does not automatically mean a bacterial infection and you may or may not benefit from antibiotics depending on what the doctor finds.

But this is really a doctor thing. Not a nurse, NHSdirect or internet forum thing. You are worried, you have symptoms you can't explain that are worrying you. Therefore, you go and seek your GPs advice. Be honest with them about your symptoms and tell them your concerns. You are going for advice and you will also learn what to do next time so that if you have the same symptoms again you will know what to do I hope you are feeling better soon.

have just noticed this thread was resurrected from february

cutekids - if DD2 hasn't got a fever and isnt haveing difficutly breathing then it is ok to watch and wait for now - but if you are concerned then get the to your GP (that's my stock advice for everything and it really is good advice )

Out of normal working hours if you ring your GP's normal number you will either be redirected to the out of hours service or will be given the number.

I went to the nurse, and she gave me some antibiotics. I felt a LOT better after them, but to be honest, I still have a cough!

Same does apply to children...but green phlem can accumulate on the chest overnight without a chest infection. has she got a "cough" or was it a one off? Does she have other symptoms - such as a fever?

Green phlegm does not automatically need treatment - however if she is asthmatic it probably wouldn't hurt to get it chekced.

i hadn't noticed that ummadam

coldtits i have the exact same symptoms...

but last week i went to dr as i had also got asthma back for the 1st time in 12 years

feeling crap but not planning to go back to the dr yet... i too do anything to avoid ABs...

even with my new inhalers that i havent needed since early teens i have found breathing difficult especially today,

i work for a GP so may discuss it at work this week... they know i have been reclassified as having asthma again and had herd me cough and cough and cough all week

i am never ill and have not been well for 2 weeks now and its driving me mad!

hope u feel better soon