Post Suspected Covid-19 Asthmatic Cough

[Deako]

Hi,

I am a 48 year old male that has mild-moderate asthma that is well controlled with Fluticasone and Salbutamol, with additional Montelukast during hay fever season.

At the end of February, I had symptoms that were consistent with Covid-19 which made the breathing more of a struggle, though after approx 10 days I started to recover, and have been well for about a month.

However, there is one issue that persists, which is a productive cough where I am clearing mucus maybe 20-30 times a day. Whilst I know that coughing has always played a very small part of my asthma, I have never known it to be anything near as bad nor last as long as this following an illness.

I have researched as much as I can, and am struggling to know whether this is normal following a viral infection or whether I should be concerned in any way.

What I would say is that I feel well and am living a normal life other than the stigma of coughing (when I go out for my daily 1 hour walk or just sat in my garden) and as such I don’t want to trouble my GP as they have patients with much greater need than me at this time.

Would appreciate any thoughts from others that have maybe experienced similar post viral coughs like this.

Thanks

Steve

[Wintersbite]

Hi is it a dry cough and like you have something stuck in the back of your throat? If so try a antihistamine I have asthma and a dog I started to get this type of cough when the weather got warmer and I sometimes get hayfever so before I done worse case I bought myself a packet of Benadryl Allergy and after taking one capsule within 15 minutes my cough was gone I didn't need to take yesterday on day 2 but today day 3 I will need to take as my cough is back and I done too much yesterday but it's worth a try. Let me know if this helps you as it helped me and good luck

[Mariachristina76]

Could be down to your sinus or acid reflux.I have a cough on and off for five years

[Poobah]

This is a good guide to phlegm which may help. asthma.org.uk/advice/unders...

It's not good to leave the lungs in a phlegm productive state for long. The sooner it's treated the better the recovery will be. A short, sharp course of oral steroids may do the trick. The last thing you want is for a secondary, bacterial infection to develop, which is a possibility if left untreated. I know GPs are busy, but your cough is quick to deal with at this stage. Leave it and then it has the potential to take up more GP time.

[Princessconswayla]

Hi Deako,

This could be your illness 'dragging out' I always find if I get a cold it takes me twice sometimes three times as long as it would take someone without asthma. Considering you've had suspected covid-19 this could very well be the case. I'm not a doctor but from everything that's going on in the world if you have had covid-19 then your body has been through a hell of a lot! It might take you longer to recover from this. If its getting to a point that it is effecting your every day life then I would speak to the gp, I know continuously coughing makes my body ache and makes me extra tired! You shouldn't have to suffer. Might be worth speaking to your gp and getting some relief/help. I hope it all works out for you

[Deako]

Thanks everyone for your comments, they are really helpful.

I have already started with my antihistamine tablets for hay fever, so let’s see if they make a difference.

If the phlegm persists beyond the weekend, I will discuss with my GP and see if he recommends a course of steroids.

Thanks again.

[Polly44]

Hi it could be a lung infection (doctors can find out through a test of your mucus, if the mucus is yellow or pale green chances are it is that and the breathing problem too again could have been this not covid . I am 46 and have had this myself for 2 and half yrs docs only realised i had haemophilus influenzae last August after testing a sample been on antibiotics mosts months since.

[Deako]

All,

Just a quick update on things.

As we know, it is difficult for GPs at this time to give an accurate diagnosis without being able to perform physical checks. So, based upon a telephone discussion, I have started a short course of antibiotics (Amoxycillin) for a potential infection, with a view to a short course of steroids if there is no improvement.

I am currently on Day 3 of the antibiotics and at this stage there is little improvement, but I will run the course and then if necessary move on to the steroids.

I will provide a further update next week, but once again, thank you for all the comments and support.

Steve

[Deako]

Hi everyone,

A quick final update to say that the combination of Amoxycillin (antibiotic) and Prednisolone (steroid) have done the trick and I am now fully back to normal.

Thanks for all the support and advice.

Stay safe and stay well

Steve x

[Evie3]

I had a lot of questions re my asthma and someone on here said ring Asthma Uk which I did. The nurse was extremely helpful and gave me suggestions of meds to speak to Doc about (thats if u r in UK).

[Bearrules]

Hi Steve

This could be me! I am also 48, previously well. Think I may have had Covid 2 months ago. I'm 'well' but have so much mucous. I don't need to cough, but when I breathe out until I wheeze a little, there is deep mucous that I fight to bring up.

I'm allergic to amoxicillin and erythromicin (argh) but maybe I have an infection. Did you otherwise feel ok?

So glad yours cleared up!

BTW did you measure your peak flows and if so how were they before, during the mucous episode and now?

[Deako]

Hi Bearrules,

Yes, other than the mucus cough I felt generally well. My normal peak flow is around 480 and that did drop to around 450 during this period. I did also get an Oximeter and my oxygen levels had dropped to 91/92 which could have been a significant issue if left untreated ( thankfully now back up at 97%).

One thing I have noticed is the number of similar comments that I have either read or seen on TV to suggest that a secondary bacterial infection is not uncommon particularly for asthma sufferers after a COVID infection.

I would get it checked out with your GP as I’m sure there is some treatment that they can offer for a suspected bacterial infection despite being allergic to some medications.

It’s better to get it checked now rather than wait in the hope it improves.

Hope that helps, and all the best to you.

Steve