Dr Leen Tannous explained when it is important to see a GP about recurrent infections
A doctor has warned you may need to see a GP if you’re getting sick too often, as recurrent infections could be a “red flag” sign of something more serious. NHS and private GP, Dr Leen Tannous, shared the warning in a social media post.
Taking to her Instagram page, @doctor.leen, the London-based doctor shared an educational video. In her caption, she posed the question: “When are recurrent infections a red flag for something serious and when are they not?”
The GP answered: “Most people who get frequent coughs, colds, or sinus infections are dealing with common causes like allergies, asthma, smoking, poor sleep, high stress, or nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin D, zinc). Chronic conditions such as diabetes can also make infections more likely.”
Dr Tannous continued: “If infections are unusually severe, don’t clear properly, keep coming back quickly, or are linked to other symptoms such as night sweats, persistent fevers, weight loss, or swollen lymph nodes, it’s important to see your GP. These can sometimes be red flags for more serious conditions, including immune problems or blood cancers like leukaemia.”
The GP, who describes herself as a functional medicine enthusiast, added that recurrent infections could signal your body’s defences are under strain. She said that from a functional medicine perspective, it could be worth investigating chronic inflammation, gut health, nutritional gaps, toxin exposure, and stress and hormonal imbalances.
Her post concluded: “The bottom line: most recurrent infections are not cancer, but they’re a sign worth paying attention to. Conventional medicine checks for serious causes, while functional medicine also asks why your immune system is struggling and how to strengthen it from the ground up.”
The NHS advises that there’s usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough, as it will typically clear up on its own within three to four weeks. If you have a cough, you should rest and drink plenty of fluids.
The advice adds that you should try to stay home if you have a high temperature or feel too unwell to perform your normal activities. You could try paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat the pain, and a pharmacist can advise you on cough sweets and syrups that may help.
However, you should see a GP if you’ve had a cough for more than three weeks, you’re losing weight for no reason, or you have a weakened immune system. The NHS says: “A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.” Common causes of a cough include smoking, heartburn, allergies, and infections.
If your cough is very bad or quickly gets worse, or you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, the side of your neck feels swollen and painful, or you’re coughing up blood, you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111.