Infection or Covid?

[Otto11]

Hi I’ve got Asthma & mild Bronchiectasis. I’m looking for a bit of advice as I’ve got a bit of a dilemma. I’m currently abroad on holiday but been in bed for 3 days with what seems like Covid symptoms. I’ve had it twice before but don’t remember the cough being this bad. I only have 2 LFT’s one I have already used but was negative on Saturday. The sore throat, blocked nose & sore eyes are resolving a bit but the cough is awful. You have to go to a pharmacy here to get tested. They do it & register it. It would mean a week or more of isolation & probably not allowed to fly home either if positive. I’m not currently well enough to go to a pharmacy anyway. So far hubby ok. Should I take my Doxycycline? What would you do?

[Lol1944]

Personally I take my rescue meds at very first signs of an exacerbation. I consider that better than waiting to see if things develope for the worst. If it turns out to be unnecessary I limit to five days wasted meds. Have to add I provide my own rescue meds, do not believe in waiting for a doc if indeed one may deign to see or even contact me on request. Only my personal way of dealing with things.

y

[Otto11 in reply to Lol1944]

Thanks. Can I ask how you get your rescue meds. I have Doxycycline but it’s not on my repeat. I have to request it if I use it up.

[YummyBear in reply to Lol1944]

Apologies, not sure what you mean..... "if it turns out to be unnecessary"...... how do you know it is unnecessary; did you send off a sputum test?Also, what do you mean: "you provide your own rescue meds"...... How?

Thank you

[MoyB]

Do you have an oximeter and thermometer with you, or can you get them? I had similar symptoms to you and felt rough, but tested negative for COVID.

I've been checking my peak flow twice a day and also my O2 and temperature as wasn't sure if I needed rescue pack.

My temp stayed almost normal and my O2 was slightly lower but, surprisingly, not significantly lower so I made the decision to watch and wait.

Things have improved. The cough has become less violent and less frequent. My temperature is normal and I am back to normal activity level.

I don't think it was COVID, but had something very similar at Christmas and it felt like a milder version of it, as though it might have remained in my system and been reactivated.

Here in the UK, it's now deemed OK to go out and mix with others once you feel well enough to do so even after a COVID test. Not sure what the regs are where you are but from what you said, it sounds as though they are still working hard to prevent the spread.

In your position, I would probably start the doxy if this was my prescribed rescue med. I would take the view that if it's not going to do me any harm but may prevent me getting worse, it could be worth a try.

I'm also on holiday, but still in UK and near a hospital if things should take a turn for the worst, so I made the 'watch and wait' decision this time.

If I was holidaying in another country, I would probably go for the belt and braces option. Only you can decide what feels right for you.

It's rotten to feel so unwell when you're away from home. I hope you recover soon and are able to fly home on the planned date and time. Remember to keep hydrated and, if you are able to check your temperature and O2, you may find the results will help you to decide on the best course of action.

Xx Moy

[Otto11 in reply to MoyB]

Thank you for your reply. Oddly I feel a bit better today ( not complaining ) I felt so bad yesterday I thought I may end up in hospital. We have a thermometer & my temp was only 37.5 hardly raised. I’ve been out of bed & have had a shower after 3 days so feel a bit better for that too. I decided to watch & wait at least for now. My Doxycycline makes me feel really sick tbh so always resist if possible.

[MoyB in reply to Otto11]

I'm so pleased to hear you're feeling a little better. Being able to shower is a good sign of progress, I always think.Like you, I have previously had real flu which presented with being unable to move in bed (it was when swine flu was doing the rounds). It was very scary.

Now there are the chest issues to contend with on top of it.

I would keep a check on your temp as if you get a secondary infection it will most likely shoot up.

I hope you soon feel even better and are well enough to fly home when the time comes.

Xx Moy

[Otto11 in reply to MoyB]

Thank you. I’m a bit better again today & cough breaking up now so managing to cough stuff up which is good. No idea what it is possibly a virus of sorts. Just taking things easy.

[Ergendl]

My husband and I both had a really bad cold two to three weeks ago, which included covid-like symptoms, loss of voice for me, and a cough that went on long after the wobbly feeling had gone. He didn't test, but I did, and my tests were negative. So you may have this bad cold too. Take the rescue meds, wear a mask when out if you can, and get home when you are able. Wishing you all the best.

[Otto11 in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you. I was convinced it was Covid but tested negative. Last time I had it I tested positive but felt ok 🤷🏻‍♀️I felt so bad yesterday I thought I would be in hospital today but woke at lunch time feeling a bit better. The only thing that I feel was weird was hubby is fine & he’s sleeping with me & not caught it.

[Lina-61]

Yes

[Otto11 in reply to Lina-61]

Thanks.

[MozB]

Hi… as a regular user of antibiotics let me say what a GP once said to me regarding chest infections… the antibiotic is far Less damaging to you than the infection… so I would recommend you start the course of AB… but, as is always said, once started, you must finish the course. All the best.

MozB xx

[Otto11 in reply to MozB]

Thank you. I decided to watch & wait as I honestly thought it was Covid. I’ve never had a sore throat with a chest infection before. Anyway feeling a bit better today out of bed which is probably better for my chest anyway.

[watergazer]

I’d take the doxycycline you have Should help. Xx

[Otto11 in reply to watergazer]

Thanks. I decided to watch & wait & today feeling a bit better.

[MozB]

oh, forgot to say… don’t take Doxycycline with any dairy foods.

MozB xx

[Otto11 in reply to MozB]

Thank you. I’m not sure I knew that but having Epilepsy memory is rubbish. I must try to remember next time.

[MozB in reply to Otto11]

yes, reason is dairy foods reduce the efficacy of doxycycline… so avoid dairy 1 hour before or 1hour after you take Doxy…

[Otto11 in reply to MozB]

Ah! Ok. So you don’t avoid dairy completely, just 1 hour before & after. Thanks. X

[1Cazza]

i had Covid a few weeks ago, no new cough, very, very sore throat for 7 days 2 negative tests then I got a very bad tummy both ends was really poorly for 5-6 days with that, then the high temperature which was really difficult as I was finding it hard to keep the paracetamol down cannot take nisaids. We were on holiday I was ill for all of it but did not know it was covid till too late as did test when i got the high temperature, my face swelled up so did my hands all before I knew what was wrong I had boxers hands no knuckles. Was so glad to get home to my own bed. We were away 19 days and I was ill with the sore throat 5 days before that. I assumed because of my emphysema I would get a cough. But no cough... Husband went down with it on our 2nd day home he was fine carried on as per usual even mowed the lawn everyone is different with this, there is no telling. I have been told the nose swab tests are not as reliable as the throat ones.

[Otto11 in reply to 1Cazza]

Oh no! Poor you. That’s just such rotten luck. I hope you are improving now. The sore throat was probably the worst I’ve ever had. The cough is breaking up now so managing to cough stuff up which I couldn’t before. How strange about your hands too?

My hubby is fine which is odd as the last 2 times I had Covid I passed it on to him. Lots of strange viruses going around I guess. It was a nose swab I did so who knows 🤷🏻‍♀️. At least I havnt missed any good weather as it’s rubbish here. Take care.

[poppyshola]

Hi Otto11... I have Bronchiectasis Asthma and severe rhinitis... I can't help wondering if you might be suffering with the very high pollen intake and need antihistamines.... at the moment it's grass and nettles and probably a few others.

When u see a story like yours it reminds me of one particular year, I went to my evening job suffering so bad ... I thought I had a very bad case of the flu... everything was aching, my legs, arms, back, head I've never been like it since..

But when I got home from it seemed the longest shift ever ... I thought you know what I'm just going to try a strong antihistamine... I think it was Allergen plus . at the time.. and I just collapsed into bed and must have fallen asleep instantly ... but when I woke in the morning ... all the aches pains and feeling dizzy had gone ... 😕 A blooming miracle ...

Itchy streaming eyes runny or blocked nose, sore throat, cough are definite

Indications of Hayfever ... and when that grass comes its awful

I hope you can find your solution soon x

[Otto11]

Thanks. I don’t think it is that as I’m abroad & no grass or nettles tbh. I do however get hay fever at home. I’ve been in bed for 5 days now but slowly improving & getting up in the evenings to watch a bit of TV.