Ask Dr Miriam

Q

I’ve had a serious attack of the flu over Christmas and was in bed for a week. My doctor said I couldn’t have antibiotics for a viral infection. But I can’t seem to get over it. I’m still coughing up yellow phlegm and I’m very tired. What do you think is wrong?

A

Your doctor is quite right. We don’t give antibiotics for viral infections, but we do when a virus weakens us so much that a bacterial infection takes over. This is what I think has happened to you. Certain people are vulnerable to the flu virus, especially when it’s virulent like the strains from Australia and Japan that arrived this winter. These are people over 60, anyone with a chronic condition like diabetes, pregnant women and infants. They’re vulnerable to opportunistic bacterial infections after flu and they need antibiotics to get rid of them. Your yellow phlegm suggests you’ve still got a lung infection.

I suggest you go back to your doctor and ask for his or her advice about having a course of antibiotics.