Hacking Cough

[smurfchops]

Had this cough for about a week, no temperature, not Covid, not a cold with it. Have had a lung infection in the past and have been told I have Bronchiecstasis. If I breathe in deeply, though, it doesn’t make me cough. So could I have a lung infection? I don’t really feel Ill, it’s just this racking cough ….. is it just a virus do you think? Thanks all.

[Sqad]

From what you say.........it sounds viral.

[Redhelen72]

I think Smurf that you need to phone the doctors tomorrow to get professional advice from qualified people and perhaps some medication.
Hopefully you will feel better soon

[Vagus]

According to the NHS site, if you have bronchiectasis and have a persistent cough, you should get in touch with your gp.

[Sqad]

Why waste time posting about medical problems when the answer in 99.9% of answers is to contact your GP?

[smurfchops]

I don’t have breathlessness nor am I bringing up phlegm ….. so much easier to get peace of mind on here, then trying to get an appointment with GP.

[Vagus]

Well, sqad, I think many people just want someone else’s opinion. That’s all I ever post, my opinion.
I don’t bother my gp very much, I tend to just get on with things, but, if I had bronchiectasis and the cough smurfy describes, then I’d call my gp as I don’t think you can be too careful with an already diagnosed nasty chest condition.

[Sqad]

I agree smurfy.

[Redhelen72]

Well to my knowledge Sqad you are the only ex dr on here and there are a few ex nurses, no one else is medically qualified to advise so the only sensible suggestion other than you posting your email addresses is to contact your GP

[Sqad]

Vagus........just read the post of smurfy......."no temperature".."don;t feel ill"....."cough for about a week".......
You would rather get another opinion ???
Fair enough.

[Vagus]

Not for myself, sqad, no, but under Smurf’s existing condition, then yes. A telephone consultation would, for me, put my mind at rest.

[237SJ]

It's going around (SW London). I`ve had it too. No mucus, temp etc. Didn't start with a cold but a throat "thing" where I thought I was going to lose my voice. Almost feels like the airways are burnt. It's starting to ease off after about 8 days. More irritating than anything else.

[smurfchops]

Although l was told l had bronchiecstasis four years ago when l had the lung infection I have had no symptoms at all since then. I do think it is a virus Sqad and I always go by what you say, I won’t ring go tomorrow as Monday is just the worst day to contact him. If the cough is still bad Tuesday I will ring then. How say you Sqad..??

[smurfchops]

237 that’s it exactly.

[237SJ]

Yes, and probably viral. Not a productive cough. I expected it to become productive because I always seem to get a secondary infection but it didn't happen. On the plus side, better to get it now than at Christmas.

[LadyCG]

Hi Smurf - all I can add is that Night Nurse is a fantastic thing for a non-productive cough. It's given me enormous relief in the past and a jolly good night's sleep.

I take it you've not had any any worrying features such as haemoptysis or unexplained weight loss?

To be honest it does sound like the one that's doing the rounds at the moment, but obviously if it persists for 3 weeks or more you really need to call the GP.

[choux]

I had a text from my GP's surgery last week basically telling me that I should not contact them, to use their damned app and I have not a cat's chance in hell of talking to a doctor. On my nextdoor group the Gp's surgery is getting a right hammering too, having refused to see a child with a bowel blockage who was in severe pain.

Sqad, I beg you to continue with your kind services on here. I know you have come in for a lot of stick, especially of late, with some people being damned rude to you. People who should know better.

I am sure that many of the people who post questions here are really interested in your replies to them. I read most of them - well, one never knows when your advice may be useful to one.

I think some try to purport they have medical training when they obviously do not. You truly are one of AB's greatest assets.

Excuse me, smurfchops, but I really wanted to say that. I hope you feel better soonest.

[douglas9401]

With apologies to the Ibuprofen dealer up there, one paracetamol tablet, not two mind, stops the most irritating of coughs.

Don't know how or why but it does.

[Sqad]

Thats sounds good to me smurfy.

Vagus ....perhaps I was a little confrontational which wasn't too helpful but at times I get wound up about the internet and links to a problem which is always personal and answers tend to be impersonal. It gets to me.

[smurfchops]

LadyCG, thank you, no blood loss or weight loss, and Sqad what would we do without you? You are a star. Thanks everyone, I feel better already, and will get some Night Nurse tomorrow. Happy Christmas all x