Possible Chest infection but no fever

[Otto11]

Hi just a quick question. Is it possible to have a chest infection but no temperature. I had a head cold about 2 weeks ago & have been left with a dreadful hacking cough. Bringing up lots of phlegm but not green & no temperature. I’m breathless & upper chest is wheezing with every breath. Should I contact my GP. I have Doxycycline but no sputum pots unfortunately to send in a sample.

[peege]

Short answer yes, I've had several chest infections needing antibiotics but didn't have fevers. I don't know if that's normal however it using my case.

Personally if it were me I'd take the Doxy but I do think it a good idea to get someone to listen to your chest via a stethoscope. P

[Otto11 in reply to peege]

Thanks. I will try tomorrow. I bet they just prescribe over the phone though. Which I don’t need. The only time I can get a decent breath is after I’ve coughed lots of gunge up.

[peege in reply to Otto11]

Keep clearing your lungs, if there's no infection there soon will be with all that warm wet gunk for bacteria to multiply in.

[Otto11 in reply to peege]

👍 thanks.

[Otto11 in reply to peege]

I’ve just seen a nurse practitioner who said she can hear crackles so been given 5 days of Doxycycline. She refused to allow a sputum sample at this stage but did say if it continues for 6 weeks I may need an x Ray. I hope I don’t feel like this for another 6 weeks!

[peege in reply to Otto11]

Good I'm glad you have the Doxy - however most of us experienced with many infections and chronic lung diseases will be prescribed minimum of ten days, usually 2 weeks worth. If I were you if you think the infection is still with you 48 to 24 hours before the abs are finished I'd be making an appointment for a check with this respiratory nurse or a gp (NB I'm not a doctor but this is what I would do if it were me). Crackling sound = highly likely an infection - there are several other sounds they check for

Try to get that mucus out if you can, I use huffing technique but there are other methods. Good luck Otto. P

[Otto11 in reply to peege]

Thanks. I'm doing my best with the mucous but not always easy to cough up. I do end up swallowing it quite a bit though. If no better tomorrow I will definitely contact them again. Unfortunately it was a nurse at our GP's surgery that I saw. I don't have a respiratory nurse or a consultant that's why I rely on this wonderful group for advice.

[Mellywelly]

Believe me yes it is. 2 viruses later and chest infection with copd have really struggled the past 2 weeks. First doctor told me my chest was clear and gave steroids but when going a week later even worse the doctor said the last doctor wrote crackling in chest. What a dickhead as if I had the proper treatment then wouldn't be so bad now. May go back as nearly finished antibiotics and nothing much has changed So yes my temperature was fine and 95 percent blood oxygen but couldn't shift phlegm. As you said a hacking cough. Wish you all the best for treatment. 😉

[Otto11 in reply to Mellywelly]

Thanks. Hope you feel better soon.

[Alberta56 in reply to Mellywelly]

Best wishes. Hope you start to get better soon. xxx

[Otto11 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you.

[Patk1]

Yes,better to get checked x

[Otto11 in reply to Patk1]

I have messaged the GP’s this morning thanks.

[Otto11 in reply to Patk1]

Thanks got an appointment with a nurse practitioner & got 5 days of Doxycycline.

[Biggles550]

take the drugs

[Otto11 in reply to Biggles550]

I think I will start them. Thanks.

[Lizzab]

Take your antibiotics. See your GP.

[Otto11 in reply to Lizzab]

I have sent a message to the GP’s to see if someone will see me. I may just start the antibiotics anyway. Thanks.

[Otto11 in reply to Lizzab]

Thanks update been seen by a nurse practitioner & got 5 days worth of Doxycycline.

[Alberta56]

You could phone the helpline this morning on 0300 222 5800. They are very good. But really you need someone to listen to your chest and take a sputum sample. Good luck with your unhelpful surgery.

[Otto11 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you. I have sent a message to the GP’s to ask if someone can listen to my chest. You’re right our surgery are useless so I do need luck.

[Alberta56 in reply to Otto11]

🤞🤞🤞🤞

[Otto11 in reply to Alberta56]

Hi thanks. Well I got an appointment for about 25 minutes after I answered you so mad dash to the surgery luckily only around the corner. I saw a nurse practitioner who has prescribed 5 days of Doxycycline but said no to a sputum sample. She did say if it continues for 6 weeks I may need a chest X Ray. I hope it dosnt continue for 6 weeks ! Now I’m questioning in my head did she hear Bronchiectasis or infection 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Alberta56 in reply to Otto11]

As Patk says Bronchiectasis normally requires 14 days of doxycycline. I hope whatever you've got will respond to fewer. If it doesn't go back to the surgery.

[Otto11 in reply to Alberta56]

I know but you can’t tell our GP’s anything. I will send another message on Thursday if no better as of course it the weekend again.

[PaulineHM]

Hello,

Yes, when I have a bacterial infection there is no fever, chills or temperature. I simply deteriorate day in day with an increasing cough with more sputum production, more fatigue, reduced function feel grim!

Yes, to using your reliever inhaler if you have one. Yes to taking rescue steroids meds if you have them.. Yes, ask to be seen for an urgent review by GP of the exacerbation. Yes, to submitting a sputum sample, Yes, to using the Active Cycle of Breathing, Yes, to increasing your clear fluid intake. Yes, to increasing your Carbocisteine to loosen the mucous. Yes to rest but keep moving.

Hard work ain’t it ?

Hope you feel better very soon.

Go well.

Pauline

[Otto11 in reply to PaulineHM]

Thank you for that. Very useful. I just don’t like taking antibiotics if I don’t need them. Normally I have a temperature so was unsure what to do but Lemsips aren’t cutting it. I pushed myself yesterday & feel rough today.

[Otto11 in reply to PaulineHM]

Update. Seen a nurse practitioner who has prescribed 5 days of Doxycycline but said no to a sputum sample at this stage. I hope 5 days is enough but doubt it.

[PaulineHM in reply to Otto11]

Agree, I don’t like taking antibiotics either if they are not needed. Although in my long experience it is always a fine line.

Pleased that you have managed to get a prescription today for Doxycycline, really hope it helps you to feel better.

Rest if you can to allow for recovery. Your body needs that energy to support you getting better.

Go well.

Pauline

[Otto11 in reply to PaulineHM]

Thanks will try.

[Patk1 in reply to Otto11]

14days minimum antibiotics for bronchiectasis - I'd ring & explain to receptionist and request another 9days px

[Otto11 in reply to Patk1]

I know but have never been given 14 days worth. Always 5 days. Refusing a sputum sample annoyed me to.

[Patk1 in reply to Otto11]

Yes I'm not surprised! Ridiculous.do u have a consultant? If not,I'd print off guidelines^ protocol for treating bronchiectasis

[Numptybrain]

Yes I too don’t show signs I just suddenly go downhill fast so just take them. I can ring consults secretary for sputum pots but I’d definitely take antibiotics.

Take care

Wendy xx

[Otto11 in reply to Numptybrain]

Thanks. Sputum pots are like gold dust at our surgery. I’m feeling rough today but definitely overdid it yesterday.

[Fircone]

It certainly is possible to have a chest infection and no fever. I had 2 blood tests, 2 lots of sputum tests including a 3 day sputum sample test and none showed any infection. My chest was listened to but all was clear. I was then admitted to hospital with fast heart rate and headaches with rigors. I had a chest scan and it showed a shadow on the lung which my consultant decided was an infection of the pleura. I was prescribed a 2 week course of amoxicillin. My heart rate has come down and so far no more rigors. This tells me that without a scan there are infections that can be missed.

[Otto11 in reply to Fircone]

Oh dear that sounds bad. I’ve managed to see a nurse practitioner who could hear crackles so have 5 days of Doxycycline. Thanks.

[Lutontown]

Yes you can. Can you get a sample pot? Testing your sputum is the only sure way of seeing if you have an infection, and getting the RIGHT antibiotic to knock it out.

[Otto11 in reply to Lutontown]

Thanks. Just been seen by a nurse practitioner who has prescribed 5 days of Doxycycline but wouldn’t agree to a sputum sample unfortunately. I’m not good at being assertive that’s the problem. She said if it continues for 6 weeks I may need a chest X Ray! I doubt 5 days is enough.

[AsthmaandLung Administrator]

Hello Otto11,

Sorry to hear you are feeling poorly and hope you managed to get a GP appointment to get an assessment of your symptoms.

Please call 111 if you are unable to get hold of your GP today. You can also call us on 0300 222 5800 (Mon - Fri, 9:15 to 5pm) and we can put you in touch with one of our friendly respiratory nurses who can offer you some clinical support.

Thank you and take care,

Helpline Team

[Otto11 in reply to AsthmaandLung]

Thank you so much. I didn’t know I could contact you that’s really helpful. I managed to get an appointment this morning with a nurse practitioner who has prescribed 5 days of Doxycycline but wouldn’t agree to a sputum sample unfortunately. I know I’m supposed to be able to do one but what can I do if they point blank refuse?

[Germantara]

I was like that my wheezing sounded like a buzz saw day and night my nose head badly congested very breathless I was bringing clear mucus up it was upper respiratory and throat congestion I was gasping for every breath I was given antibiotics and steroid tablets if you're suffering the way I was I feel for you deeply I'm tons better now just feel slightly weak took it out off me see you're g p and take thing easy

[Otto11 in reply to Germantara]

Thanks. I’ve been seen this morning by a nurse practitioner who has prescribed 5 days of Doxycycline. She said she could hear crackles in the base of both lungs. She said no to a sputum sample though at this stage.

[Germantara in reply to Otto11]

I'm pleased that you're getting sorted I hope you feel better soon

[Jack70]

get a sputum sample in asap

Don’t take antibiotics if you’ve no infection they are poison. Over prescription of antibiotics leads to all kinds of autoimmune disorders

[Otto11 in reply to Jack70]

Thanks. I’ve been to GP’s this morning & saw a nurse unfortunately she wouldn’t allow a sputum sample at this stage but did prescribe 5 days of Doxycycline. I agree with you & don’t want to take antibiotics if I don’t need them. She said she could hear crackles at the base of both lungs.

[Timberman]

Suggest you get a sputum sample bottle soon as possible. Do you have a COPD clinic? Use them if you do. It sound as if you are making mucus for some reason not connected with an infection. But you should check. Then I suggest an X-ray. Talk yo your clinician.

[Patk1]

How're u doing Otto11

[Otto11 in reply to Patk1]

Hi that’s so kind of you to ask me. I’m not coughing anywhere near as much but still coughing up phlegm when I do cough plus I’m still wiped out. I’m going to ask if I can get another course of 5 days. I’m only just out of bed then will call them. I realise now that I shouldn’t have waited so long. Thank you 🙏🏻

[Patk1 in reply to Otto11]

Yes it's hard to know when to start rescue meds & takes longer to recover whn we leave it.dont be fobbed off x

[Otto11]

Exactly. I’m my own worst enemy tbh. I try to put up with whatever it is & plough on not just lung stuff. Lesson learnt I guess x