I've got a cold

[Johnsons]

My husband has copd ,he takes all the mess and everything but I've come down with a nasty cold and really worried he with catch it ..

What can I do are do any one have any advice, I'm scared for his health x

[Swerv]

Wear a face mask. I wear one in airports and planes as they are the easiest places to pick up an infection or pass one on. Also use anti bacterial gel to wash your hands..

Merv

[peterjones]

I'm was going to say MRS JOHNSON

exactly what SWERV has just said its the most logical thing to do and no SNOGIN FOR A WHILE SAVE THAT TILL LATER ON PETER JONES QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA PSP SUFFERER

[Happy26]

Sleep in separate beds until your cold is gone.

[Huffalong]

I do the same as happy 26, I sleep in the spare room.

[AbbyRudi]

A face mask isn't needed, viruses are so small they aren't stopped by it. Wash your hands before preparing food or drink for your husband; or even just giving him something. Wash your hands after touching your mouth or nose before you handle doorknobs, etc. Sleep in different rooms and otherwise don't sit near him, etc. My husband has COPD as well and I have never given him a cold. My hands do get very dry though!

[Hidden in reply to AbbyRudi]

I think a face mask is handy for catching tiny droplets, in case you get a sudden sneeze or cough & can't grab a tissue in time. Also 3M made some at the time of the SARS outbreak which were tested and found to be an effective barrier against many viruses. Hard to believe I know but apparently true. I don't know if they still make them but could be worth looking into for the future.

[AbbyRudi in reply to Hidden]

Funny, at the time they said the face masks were not effective. It was all over the news as chemists ran out of them. I suppose it might depend on the make of the mask too. In any case, both my GP and two virologist (spelling?) friends said they are not very effective. That said, surgeons and staff wear them in operating theatres don't they? So they must do something.

I think a secondary benefit might be that the wearer is stopped from touching their mouth and nose. It always surprises me how often I do one or the other without thinking about it.

[Hidden in reply to AbbyRudi]

Johnsons - I just looked them up, as 3M make lots of masks, and these are the ones amazon.co.uk/3M-Particulate.... Amazed you can get them on Amazon now. One box would probably last for 3 or 4 colds, and at least you'd feel you were doing everything possible. I agree with the others though that the simple precautions of hand washing etc are the best.

Ah,Abby, a scientist acquaintance at the time who specialised in respiratory diseases told me they were effective against some viruses! Just goes to show how academics disagree. Unfortunately I lost her contact details when my old pc crashed so can't check why she said that. I agree with you though that they probably do something, even if just to stop you touching your mouth etc.

[pattylusk in reply to Hidden]

N95 is good.

[Nanny1086]

It's me with the lungs problem ,,,,,and my hubby ( touch wood ) usually has very good health thank god ,,,,,sadly I went down with a chest infection on the 12 th and he went down with a heavy cold 5 days later,,,,,so we were reliant on our daughter her hubby and daughter,,,,,,who were only too pleased to help ,,,,,,but yet hey did wear a scarf pulled up over their nose when here with us ,,,,after all not only was it Christmas but they have their work to think about after wards,

So separate rooms ,,,,,plenty of hand washing ,etc and antibacterial gel,,,,,and

of course stick to your own cups,cutlery towels etc etc ,,,,, ( we always do anyway ) tissues used I always put into a plastic bag so as the germs are locked away instantly ,,,,and no kissing ,,,,lol,

Hope you soon fell better ,take care and happy new year ,

[Rosabeth]

When I have a cold I use Olbas oil on a tissue it really helps to keep my airways open and my colds never seem to last long. It says it helps to stop the spread of infection and it does seem to work as my husband and I never get each other's colds. I am allergic to it on my skin but otherwise fine. Living in Spain I and my friends always got colds or worse after a flight and I found that a tissue with the oil that I would keep smelling and waving in the air around me kept the bugs at bay. The smell is enough to keep anything at bay but one of my cats loved it but backed off if she got too close to a tissue. They also make throat lozenges but I can't stand the taste. I did get some friends to use it on flight and they didn't catch anything. I can't promise it will stop you passing your cold to your husband but it works for me we have never had to resort to separate rooms to avoid the germs it's worth a try it's cheap and you have nothing to lose. Good luck.

[Dedalus]

First Defence is also good for keeping germs etc at bay (need to spray up nose) - I use it for flights/buses etc. Good luck & Happy New Year to you both x

[Ergendl]

Salt water nasal wash if you can manage it, and antiseptic gargle will also help to clean out the nose, sinuses and top of the throat, and put the little nasties down the sink instead of making more.

[Offcut]

Most bugs take a few days before they come out so if it is about it may not stop infection. However what has been said is good advice clean hands and no close contact is the best you can do.

[Hidden]

There is not much you can do but just to carry on with life just because someone got copd do not mean he or she will get a cold of someone els I sleep in same bed as wife and she allways got a cold and the worst ones for passing on a cold is children as long as he takes his meds and you wash your hands before you do food it is allright but the worst thing to do is rap someone with copd with cotton wool JUST be there when he needs you. Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Well said david

[Hidden]

I must say I have not had a cold for years. And I have a low immune system. My daughter gets everything that is going. We go through a lot of hand sanitiser. I just get the allergic sneezing. Take care and hope he doesn't catch the cold x

[Jessy11]

Welcome to our site johnsons!

Sorry to hear you are unwell but hopefully be better soon.

I understand your worry of your husband catching an infection since you have the cold.

Apart from the advice the others have given you, I'm afraid, unfortunately it's still not certain he will not get a cold from you.

Make sure he has his rescue meds to hand if needed, he's eating well, drinking plenty & keeping as mobile as possible.

Hope your husband keeps well & you recover soon 🌺

[peterjones]

oh bugger who else writes 564y9987666 pages on here then loses it when its time to sign off peterjones queensland Australia psp bloke

[bayleyray-uk]

Me Peter,

Frustrating to say the least, lost two answers to posts yesterday, so I give up trying instead of screaming at the computer.

Happy New Year,

Sue

[Scouser58]

Hello Johnsons,,,,if you are allowed,(no medications for conditions), I would take some of the over the counter cold treatments,,,,and a large box of tissues,,,, the usual things are cough and sneeze into the tissues, blow snotty nose into tissues,,,,all into a plastic bag to keep the germs contained,,,, and the hot lemon 'blackcurrant' flavours,,, and be cosy and warm,,,,you can only do your best with the cold and keep the germs to yourself,,,,you will do your best,,,,,have a good recovery from the cold,,,Karen.