Does your doctor give out antibiotics willy nilly?

[sugarnotsweetener]

I am 29 weeks pregnant.

Last week I took my 2yo daughter to the doctor as she had a rash on her face alongside a terrible cold and cough - the rash turned out to be burst capillaries from coughing so hard. He had a good look at her and said it was viral, drink plenty and rest, I was happy with that.

This week I have it, the cough is shocking, the kind that barks and you get flashing lights and struggle for breathe. Im still suffering with sickness so the coughing sometimes makes me sick. My tonsils hurt, I’m bunged up and I’m drained (I obviously don’t want to pass it on) so I called in sick yesterday and today. Yesterday I had to leave a message as my line manager was off, today I spoke to her and she was insinuating I should go to the doctors for antibiotics if I’m that poorly
We have a bit of a strange culture at work where this person isn’t happy if people are off sick, doesn’t really do sympathy etc. HR and the other managers have no issue with sickness and I’ve only had one other sick day in a 12m period, my antenatal appointments have all so far been taken on the days I don’t work too so I don’t feel like I’m taking the Mick.
I just wonder why she thinks they’re going to pump me full of antibiotics when I’m pregnant. I don’t feel like it’s getting worse but am I being irresponsible not to go sit in the doctors surgery with my 2yo who’s still getting over it where we can pass it on to everyone else and pick up lots of other lovely germs too?!

Unless your line manager is a fully qualified GP or practice nurse then I'd completely ignore them.

It may be worth ringing your GP practice and asking for a telephone consultation - mine do these. That way you don't have to go in. A sick note may be helpful.

People are idiots when it comes to ABs. They'll do NOTHING for a viral infection.

My GP is very cautious giving out ABs, as they should be!!

@MyNameIsTotoro same mine won’t give them out either! Thanks i will ring in and just explain I’ve caught it, they might want to listen and make sure it’s not settling on my chest and then at least I can tell her that when I have to ring in tomorrow

And no she’s not qualified I think she just likes people to feel like wimps or that they’re swinging the lead. I do feel a bit guilty as my maternity leave starts in 4 weeks but at the same time I’m not fit to go in!

You can't get antibiotics for a viral infection so there's no point asking for them or sitting in the surgery.

Most doctors are cautious about handing out antibiotics anyway - as they should be, as PP says - and I would imagine that in pregnancy they would be even more so. But they are only for bacterial infections not viruses and I wish more people - including your line manager - understood that!

Oh it annoys me no end when people believe they are medically qualified and judge others for taking a sick day or two... I’d prefer people to take a sick day and get better than infect me!!

I’ve been really poorly and signed off by numerous doctors throughout my pregnancy but some ‘colleagues’ have taken offence to this. Not their problem, not your problem, rest up and feel better!!! Baby will be here soon enough and you’ll need all the energy.

As for antibiotics my GP will do his best not to give them out, especially if he suspects it’s viral, you normally get left a week or so and then he will check you again and reassess.

@TinyTerror1 I said that when I reminded her that my daughters was viral and she said something about needing to be diagnosed. Not likely I’ve caught the exact same thing from her but I have a bacterial strain while she has the viral strain, is it!

@Thetimehascometo I feel the exact same when people at work are ill and you’re just sat thinking oh please don’t let me get it!!!!

No you’re right I’ll rest up and forget about it, the one good thing is I’ve been told I’m passing immunity of this bug to the baby so even tho it’s unpleasant at least that’s one good thing!

You'd have to be dying to get antibiotics from my doctor and even then she'd think twice about it lol

In my job and I think most jobs if your going to be off for 3 days or more you need to have a doctors note. If your only taking 2 days you should be fine.

Mine wouldn't even prescribe for a UTI when I was pregnant until I actually started peeing blood! They did give me a prescription when I had a really fluey type virus over Easter, but recommended waiting before taking them. Glad I had it in hindsight as it developed into a sinus infection (which I have a bad history of, hence the prescription).

From experience, these type.of people tend to be the ones who don't get ill often therefore have little empathy. Like you said, ring doctors and then you can pass on their advice. Maybe ask them specifically about work and then if they recommend not going in you could tell your line manager that?

Sorry, that should WASN'T pregnant - they're obviously much more cautious with pregnant people!

How annoying!!! If she says anything I'd be a smart arse and say you've already been however due to the fact you're pregnant the doctor advised not to take antibiotics and said rest is better for you

Who the hell is she to tell you what you need!!