Antibiotics??

[agrasso]

Looks like I might have a strain of the flu. I’m fearful of going to the doctor because he’ll put me on a antibiotic. It’s been more than 2 weeks and no amount of natural remedies have helped, what do I do?

[Joolsg]

Flu is caused by a virus. Doctors in the UK have been told not to prescribe antibiotics for virus infections.

If the flu has caused a bacterial infection, for example pneumonia or a lung infection, antibiotics would be prescribed.

The advice for flu at the moment is to rest, take paracetamol and drink plenty of fluids. If there has been no improvement in a week call 111 or speak to your GP.

Has it improved? I know my friends are saying this strain of flu is lasting around 2 weeks ( the worst symptoms improved in a week but they still had the bad cough). If it hasn't improved at all then call 111.

[agrasso in reply to Joolsg]

No improvement and my ears are hurting too

[nathanwilde in reply to agrasso]

Jools is correct. Antibiotics work against bacterial infections, but flu and coldds are viral, for these you can use anti-virals, but usually they take 7-14 days to work, at which point you'd probably have beaten to virus naturally anyway.

[agrasso in reply to nathanwilde]

So it’s actually a very sore throat, ear ache, ad severe headache too. I’m going to the doctor this morning but I’m so afraid that he’ll prescribe something that will adversely affect my RLS, since nobody really has any idea what it’s all about.

[Joolsg in reply to agrasso]

If the flu has caused a bacterial ear infection then you may be prescribed antibiotics but they will not make RLS worse.

[nathanwilde in reply to agrasso]

I've taken some antibiotics during my RLS years, and I've never noticed any worsening of symptoms.

[Lou78 in reply to agrasso]

I have had the same went to the doctors because couldn't take the pain in my ears. I have fluid in both but he didn't give me antibiotics just told me to take decongestants. However my throat was extremely sore and nothing was working until I tried manuka honey. After the first drink with it in I felt instant relief. It is expensive but the best thing out there.

[Hidden in reply to agrasso]

agrasso. I was just released from a US hospital after being diagnosed with one of the new strains not covered by this years' flu shot. Get a proper diagnosis with appropriate tx if needed. This is nothing to fool around with. get evaluated so if you need specific tx you get it. It is epidemic in the US and people are dying from it. Don't play around with your health.

[Eryl]

Pain and lung congestion are caused by imflamation which lingers after the virus has gone. Many doctors give steroids for that these days and thy clear it up in a couple of days.I suffered for months with lung congestion and to have it gone so quickly was wonderful.

[Hidden in reply to Eryl]

Hi Eryl. Good suggestion. Will speak with my doc this week. I looked up CDC info and read fatigue and congestion can go on 2-3 + weeks after flu is gone. All I know is how tired and exhausted I feel. Would love to feel physically better sooner. I usually don't like to take meds if not absolutely necessary but would take some steroids if I could feel better faster. Plus I am something of an OCD/neatnick and my (to me) messy apt is driving me crazy but no energy to do a thorough cleaning-just touchups. External clutter clutters up my mind. When I was in the hospital my friend Jacob stayed and cleaned, did a lot to help me and I'm grateful. But you know how most men 'clean house' LOL. Can't wait to get it back to my way!. I should be more grateful. Thanks for letting me vent. irina1975

[John_naylor]

Cold remedies can affect RLS, I cannot take Benylin or Fishermen’s Friends or my RLS goes berserk!

[Hidden in reply to John_naylor]

Yes, I'm sure you don't need to worry about unnecessary antibiotics as drs go out of their way not to overprescribe these but if the flu has resulted in a secondary bacterial infection then they'll be prescribed but none of them as far as I know cause any problems with RLS.

If you're ill that condition has to take precedence over RLS. See a Dr and look after yourself properly.

But as John says above there could be substances in cold and flu remedies that can have an adverse effect on RLS. None of them are any better than simple medicines. The main thing would be to make sure you aren't already taking eg paracetamol in co-codamol so take care not to take more than is recommended.

[agrasso in reply to John_naylor]

Wondering what I can take for the constant coughing? I’m so fearful that anything or everything might conflict with my RLS.

[Hidden in reply to agrasso]

Again I'd arrange to see a Dr. It depends on the type of cough you have, dry or moist and if you have a chest infection or not which flu can result in.

Cough remedies are rarely any use anyway, just another example of pharm companies taking money from desperate people. All the complicated stuff in them usually makes no difference. If there's something to be coughed up it's best coughed up and not suppressed.