When to see a doctor because of a cold/flu?

[Eternal Sunshine]

I have been sick with something resembling cold or a flu for about 4 days. I hate going to the doctor unless I absolutely have to. I have a bit of a doctor phobia and I tend to ignore symptoms until they go away. Generally, this works quite well for me.

 

 

I rarely get colds or anything and if I do, they are so light - I only feel some discomfort for 2 days or so.

 

Now I am on day 4. My symptoms are not getting better or worse. I am EXACTLY the same. My throat is so sore that I feel like I am swallowing razor blades. This is constant and throat lozanges don't help at all. I have a bit of a dry cough but it's not too bad. During the day I mostly feel OK otherwise but in the evenings I start feeling feverish. I have this horrible pressure in my head at night and general aches/pains. I can only fall asleep if I take some pain killers. For the first couple of nights, I have been waking up in cold sweat every few hours but that has (thank God) stopped.

 

Do you think I should wait this out or see a doctor? :(

[Els]

Is your doctor phobia so terribly bad that you would rather suffer than go?

 

Just go. From the way it sounds, it could very likely be strep throat (which the doc can recognize easily by looking down your throat) and a nice course of antibiotics could solve it quite easily.

 

It depends on your local health guidelines really, but usually people see a doc if their symptoms aren't getting better in 3-4 days.

[Chocolat]

If you are in pain and feverish, it sounds as though you could have an infection -- strep throat, as Elswyth suggests. Go to the doctor!

[creighton0123]

Look in a mirror with a flashlight (cellphone flash works) and see if there are white spots or lines on your tonsils. If there are, head to the doctor as you'll most likely need a round of antibiotics.

 

In most people, though, strep doesn't manifest cold/flu symptoms unless it is severe.

 

As for your cold/flu symptoms, recommendation to see a doctor should be:

 

1. If you experience shortness of breath or sensation that deep breaths were not fulfilling.

 

2. Persistent nausea that lasts for more than a day or two, preventing you from consuming food.

 

3. Burning sensation when you urinate

 

4. Confusion/dizziness of any kind

 

5. Temperature exceeding 103 degrees (ensure you take your temperature immediately before or four hours AFTER taking Advil/Tylenol/etc and 10 minutes after drinking any water)

 

6. Any blood in urine/stool

 

7. Any chest pain when breathing

 

8. Any combination of symptoms that persist or worsen after 7 days.

 

If any of those apply to you, go to the doctor.

[Eternal Sunshine]

Thanks guys, I finally ended up seeing a doctor today. It's been 6 days and I developed a high fever. Turns out you are right and it is a severe case of strep throat. I have been prescribed a course of penicillin injections (doctor was concerned about developing rheumatic fever). I was told that I should have come earlier.

[tigressA]

Well now that you've gone to the doctor you can start feeling better, ES. It's good that you know what's going on and you'll recover. ((hugs))