Very unpleasant infection

[marsixety]

Hi all. I'm currently four days in to a seemingly very bad infection that is affecting my lungs, head nose etc. The coughing is frequent and my lungs are beginning to hurt even when I'm not coughing because of it. I have a bunged up nose so that's two ways my breathing is being compromised and I feel generally very ill indeed. I also have no appetite so am not eating much. My Questions are,

Is the constant coughing making my chest tender or could it be something more serious developing?

Should I start taking some cough medicine to give my lungs a bit of a break?

Also, should I be covering myself in blankets and turning the heat up to 'sweat it out'?

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi it sounds t ok me that the sensible thing would be to get medical help, it does sound as though you need it. Please get some help or phone the NHS line and get help. Let us know how you are doing and take care.😊 Bernadette xx

[Shancock]

I would arrange a trip to the dr or walk in clinic tomorrow if I were you and get some antibiotics, 14 days for an infection don't accept just 7 it's not enough.

Drink lots of water and lots of hot drinks, hot water and herbal teas are good. Keep warm obviously but I think the sweat it out procedure is very old fashioned, not a good idea anymore at all, worse thing to do if you do have a temperature is to make yourself even hotter.

Tomorrow go to the chemist also and get some chesty cough expectorant with Guafenesin as that helps thin he mucus making it easier to cough up.

Try steam for your nose, and then Sterimar spray.

Rest for the week atleast but I would absolutely go to the dr and get something.

[O2Trees]

Good advice to see GP marsixety. The pain could be from your intercostal muscles between your ribs as they are getting more of a work out than usual from the coughing. Or the other possibly could be some pleurisy, ie inflammation of the pleura, or membranes which line the lungs. The lungs themselves have no nerve endings and so cannot feel any pain. But it's not possible for us to make a diagnosis.

You should definitely get medical help and may need an xray to determine what is going on. You should give a sputum sample if possible to make sure you get the correct antibotic and as Shancock says, you should try to get two weeks as one week seldom does the job. Let us know how you get on.

[corriena]

I agree with the others go and see your gp. Early intervention lessens the problem

[marsixety]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm going to see my doctor in the morning so we'll see what she has to say.

[Whitechinchilla]

Glad you have an appt to get checked over. Hope you get some answers and some treatment very quickly. Good wishes.

[Hidden]

It sounds rather like the infection that set my doctors off investigating what was actually wrong with me. I used a very light sniff, every night, of Vicks stick, too much is not good as eventually that makes your nose run more, and for that awful gunk dangling in your throat sensation a bronco cough syrup, again I didn't take a big dose. The coughing made my lungs very sore indeed, plus my back. Anti biotics needed for secondary infections, the origin of mine was viral so nothing can help there. Yes you should call a doctor. Prednisolone helped after wards with the prolonged coughing.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Susan1200]

I wish you all the best for your appointment.

[Ergendl]

What did the doctor say, marsixety?

[marsixety]

Thanks everyone. After hearing me out and listening to my chest (having me cough for him) the doctor prescribed me the following;

5 x Azithromycin tablets

Salbutamol syrup

Desloratadine (anti-histamine)

and, bizarrely a Thyme and Primula herbal syrup.

I was quite skeptical about all this lot but, out of simple desparation, tried them and they have provided some relief. Although the antibiotic made me feel quite bad for a little while.

[marsixety]

I do have a follow up question. Can I be doubly infected with the same virus, effectively negating any progress I've made (and there has been some since my OP) Sorry, I'm a bit of an ignoramus about how these things work

[Candyred]

I must say marsixety when I cough persistently my chest does get sore so does my back shoulders under arms ..it all becomes tender .. I like everyone says go speak with your doctor .. xx