Do I need to seek medical advice?

johnsmith

I'm not asking for medical advice as I know that it's against the charter, I'm simply asking should I go seek medical advice or am I being a hypochondriac.

I've had the Flu since Sunday, it seems like the standard stuff; temperature, cough, sweating, mild headaches. In the last couple of days I have been coughing up mucus with small streaks of blood in it. I rang my Mum (a nurse) and asked her do I need to go see a doctor. She said to give it a couple more days and see how I feel then. I've been googling around and have made myself a bit paranoid about the situation.

I'd prefer to avoid going to see a doctor if possible because I'm a bit strapped for cash, should I seek medical advice or see if it continues?

krudler

I'd go, not for manflu but coughing up blood would be straight to the doc for me, I used to have the standard man attitude of "it'll sort itself out" but that theory came crashing down when I left something go too long and wound up way worse off than if I just bit the bullet and went within a few days of noticing the problem, as for the cash thing, its almost the end of the year so you can claim back the visit on your tax or vhi if you have it? you'll at least get some of the money back in January

johnsmith

krudler wrote: »

… its almost the end of the year so you can claim back the visit on your tax or vhi if you have it? you'll at least get some of the money back in January

I think I will go and get it checked out. Not sure if it's swine flu or regular flu but after reading about the complications of swine flu here, I'm a bit worried.

I'm a student without health insurance who is off-campus for the next week (can't go to the campus Doctor, I am Cork, campus is in Dublin). Any other ways I can get checked out for a bit cheaper or claim money back?

Overheal

rule of thumb for coughs and pains, if it prolongs for more than a week, see a doctor. Coughing blood? Thats the prop they use in those dainty period films to show you someone is dying. See a doc.

Vain

Coughing up blood is more than likely due to you coughing and sneezing and tearing your throat, Its been four days now and your not getting better so you should go to the doc.

mood

Could be just a cold that has developed into a chest infection (the mucus would indicate this). However, the blood is worrying IMO. I would go to doctor.

b3t4

Go to the doctor.

Ring the doctor's office and see if they could take part payment as you are a student. They might have a discount? If they don't borrow the money. I know I'd have no problem lending someone I know money to go to a doctor.

But as I said, go to a doctor. If you do have a chest infection, sounds like you do (just had one myself), and you let it go for too long you could end up with something worse and landing yourself in hospital (way more expensive!).

Need I say it again

Colonel_McCoy

To put it simply YES