DH flu over 2 week - not getting better - worried

A  week before Christmas, DH developed a horrible sore throat and fever and chills, sometimes delirious. He has a horrible cough, coughing up disgusting brown stuff. He is up all night coughing, doesn’t sleep. During the day, as he sits in front of the TV, he falls in and out of sleep. He coughs all day as well, and he complains about his throat all the time.

After two weeks of him telling me that there was no point in seeing a doctor because they wouldn’t do anything, yesterday I insisted on calling our doctor’s surgery.  Because DH said he was too weak to go outside (freezing and pavements covered with ice), GP came for a home visit.

He listened to DH’s chest with a stethoscope (I find it weird that he just listened; didn’t ask DH to breathe deeply or cough) and said that it was flu (possibly swine flu) and that his lungs were clear that it was a viral infection and there was nothing he could do.  Just take paracetamol for fever (as if he hadn’t already).

I’m worried because my experience with the NHS has been that they tend to minimize problems until it’s too late.

My only previous experience with flu was in the US many years ago, where I was given antibiotics to prevent developing pneumonia (I understand the risk of developing antibiotic strains of bacteria).  Flu lasted about two weeks and I could definitely feel myself getting better toward the end.

Is it normal for someone to be ill with flu this long and not seem to be getting better? I don’t want to wait till the point where he has to be hospitalized because he can’t breathe or has passed out.

Is it possible that it's something else - not flu or a viral infection at all?
We also run our own business – not from home – and not being able to get into the office is taking a financial toll. (He is too ill and I had to stay home with him to get him food, let the doctor in, etc.)
I’m sure he is worrying about that which isn’t helping.

I’m starting to feel exhausted myself –not  sure if it’s from taking care of him, worry, being kept awake by his coughing or I’m coming down with it myself.
So, am I worrying for nothing and should I just let DH’s illness take it’s course, or is there something more we should be  doing?

Did you ask the GP why he didn't presribe anti biotics?

He said it was a viral infection, so I assume that's why. I know that there are always concerns about the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Also, he said his lungs are clear. Do they not prescribe antibiotics until after the patient has developed signs of lung problems?

Should I call the surgery and ask for antibiotics for him?

He doesn't have any known medical problems (respiratory, heart) that would put him in the special treatment for flu category.

Doctor said he could be ill for up to 4 weeks but that doesn't sit right with me.

If it is swine flu, the people I know who had it were sick for up to 3 weeks. They didn't take anything for it, just had to ride it out. Hope he feels better soon! 

I don't know but I was talking to someone yesterday whose husband had swine flu over Xmas and was given anti biotics.

There's some info here about swine flu & anti viral medication:

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/04April/pages/swineflulatest.aspx

and numbers to call here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_178842.htm

If it is swine flu, the people I know who had it were sick for up to 3 weeks. They didn't take anything for it, just had to ride it out.

Same here. Partner works in hospital pharmacy, says account sounds typical, antibiotics useless against viruses.

I wasn't given antibiotics after being felled by influenza in the US and not getting better.

I did go on to develop pneumonia and wound up on drip antibiotics for Christmas. 

But yes, Aillidh was very ill with swine flu for over a fortnight. 

Thanks everyone for reassuring me that this is normal - although I really hope that I'm not coming down with it as well.

I wasn't given antibiotics after being felled by influenza in the US and not getting better.

I did go on to develop pneumonia and wound up on drip antibiotics for Christmas.  

 

Sorry about that.  Just shows that medical care differs all over the US.

If it makes you feel any better, I got thrush from the antibiotics.

If it makes you feel any better, I got thrush from the antibiotics.

Yeah, I did, too.  On top of the pneumonia. 

It was the worst Christmas I've had for sure!

Poor Aillidh really was laid low by swine flu.  I was, too, but she was hardest hit. 

DH the smoker threw it off in a matter of days. 

I had swine flu back in August (no meds taken just let it run its course) and it took about a month for me to start feeling better. The symptoms started to subside after a couple of weeks but it was a month before i felt OK and at least 2 months ish before I felt normal.

I thought if the gunk you are coughing up is green or very yellow or brown, it DID mean there is at least a bronchitis and therefore you should have antibiotics? I had a cough for almost a month and was given antibiotics and a cough suppressant. If it goes to three weeks I'd start pushing for more treatment. I had such a bad cough once I got a hernia. I was even pregnant at the time and the NHS still prescribed me antibiotics.

I thought if the gunk you are coughing up is green or very yellow or brown, it DID mean there is at least a bronchitis and therefore you should have antibiotics? I had a cough for almost a month and was given antibiotics and a cough suppressant. If it goes to three weeks I'd start pushing for more treatment. I had such a bad cough once I got a hernia. I was even pregnant at the time and the NHS still prescribed me antibiotics.

I thought so too. I told the GP that he was coughing up brown gunk and he said it was normal and that he could expect to be ill for 2 to 4 weeks. If he's not getting better by the weekend I'll give them another call.

I thought if the gunk you are coughing up is green or very yellow or brown, it DID mean there is at least a bronchitis and therefore you should have antibiotics? I had a cough for almost a month and was given antibiotics and a cough suppressant. If it goes to three weeks I'd start pushing for more treatment. I had such a bad cough once I got a hernia. I was even pregnant at the time and the NHS still prescribed me antibiotics.

The whole colored phlegm thing s no longer accepted science, so they no longer give antibiotics for it.   

In any event, I hope he feels better soon.  I have noticed that the nurse practitioners at the Monkbar walk-in clinic seem a bit more prone to giving treatment than the regular GP.  But then you have to go to that clinic and wait- if you could manage going early enough that the wait would be short, I say call a cab and have them take you to the door.  I've only had to go there on holiday emergencies. 

Hope you don't get it as well, and also that you are able to get work sorted, rest and look after your dh.  The weather isn't too helpful, is it?

I have noticed that the nurse practitioners at the Monkbar walk-in clinic seem a bit more prone to giving treatment than the regular GP.  

That's good to know. Thanks.

I think he is feeling him a bit better now that I have been feeding him Vitamin C tablets and Zinc lozenges.