coughing fit

[johngk]

after being diagnosed with bronchiectasis in october i have had 7 clear months due to medication and daily throat clearing

2 weeks ago we went on holiday (second flight since diagnosis but no problems after first flight) .within a day of landing started with slight cough ..few days later heatwave with temperatures up to 40 degrees.. on returning from holiday cough was a little more pronounced. my daily throat clearing has since medication produced very little mucus.but i was waking up each morning with mucus in my throat.

last night we went to family celebration and due background music i had to raise my voice to be heard in conversations. gradually my voice faltered and coughing increased.

this morning i had a bad coughing fit and brought up alot of white mucus.

i have an emergency anti biotic pack but not sure if to use yet..my chest is very sore but cough not too bad. i feel fine otherwise.

trying to work out if the flight and or heat was initial cause...possibly the flight ..and if to continue flying

i will wait a few more days to see if i get worse and then take action

[Swizzy]

Bearing in mind that I am not a doctor but speak from my own experience. What you describe makes me think that you caught a virus on the plane. Painful chest,coughing fit and white mucus point to that rather than an exacerbation when you would see lots of darker mucus which actually comes from your airways but feels as though it is in your throat. As bacterial infections ride in on the back of viruses I think that you are wise to watch it for a few days and if the virus symptoms don't go away or things get worse, take your rescue abs. I hope that helps.

[Patk1 in reply to Swizzy]

I'm in agreement with all u say Swizzy.x

[johngk in reply to Patk1]

thanks patk1

[peege in reply to Patk1]

Me too Patk1

[johngk in reply to Swizzy]

hi swizzy..yes i have been thinking the same too. wasnt sure at first what to do so need some advice..thanks

[B0xermad in reply to Swizzy]

I agree ,recumbent air in planes is a worry as germs have nowhere to go but fly around the plane its a reason I don't fly with the possibility of making me ill ,having bronchiectasis its such a sensitive issue to keep yourself healthy as can be detrimental to catch a nasty bug on the flight

[Ern007]

Like the others commenting your problem - I am not a doctor and can't give you advice. I think "white mucus." is from a virus infection. a common cold often has white mucus. I would keep an eye on the coughing and I would look for green or yellow mucas as that coud be a bacterial infection that would need treating As the rest say, no better after a few days, I would take my resue pack, better than being more ill

[johngk in reply to Ern007]

thanks ern..since coughing fit my coughing has reduced alot though still a bit chesty. give it a few more days and see how it goes

[Petetriplet]

Jonny,

I am no doctor but what I know maybe of help? My brother used to work overseas and regularly used long haul flights. Business class. He worked in Dubai. I used holiday flights and the occasional long haul . After flights, I too have experienced coughing/ respiratory issues. Nothing like travelling in a cigar tube with recycled air shared with all occupants! Having worked for Airline Services - entering a plane after the passengers have left to clean the cabin toilets, galleys in the ‘ minutes it was on the ground before next flight! Someone had a damp cloth and visited each seat wiped the drop down table, emptying any gash. Move on to next three seats with same mop!

Planes are not sterile far from it! The toilet cleaner after job done usually carries out the vacuuming to avoid cross contamination. Person who does the galleys does that alone. Takes about 30 mins to clean a jet. Normally a gang of eight people who clean a plane

it is no doubt a Petri dish of bacteria awaiting a host.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes

[johngk in reply to Petetriplet]

thanks for your reply. flying is something my wife and i have discussed now and looking at alternatives. as my cough started 2 days after arriving on holiday it does seem i could have caught something . my cough has now returned to what it was before my coughing fit. ...an occasional slight chesty cough. hoping this week it will go away

[Oshgosh in reply to Petetriplet]

I agree with what you say about cleanliness on planes.

I used to take antibacterial wipes to give everything a quick clean.

Flying back from Egypt once a child was ill on the plane,I had a viral illness after this,lasted for 2 months.

Since I’ve been ill,one of the gps advised me to avoid cruises,she described them as a ship of infection cruising round the world?

So I’ve had to adapt to holidaying in UK.

[Petetriplet in reply to Oshgosh]

hi, as a teenager I was in the Merchant Navy. I worked on different ships. However, I did work on the old Oriana completing the six month world cruise. 1964/75. In those days I reckon they were safe. Just before the Pandemic I booked a Caribbean Cruise to show my wife the places I saw. It was cancelled due to Covid - it docked in Southampton having to be quarantined due to illness - something we did not see in the 70’s. I agree whole heartedly with your doctor.

Stay well

Pete

[Walkonthewildside]

The comment from Swizzy seems to make a lot of sense. I know from experience that it can be difficult to ‘judge’ what we are coughing up, and decide if/when to start the rescue pack!

[johngk in reply to Walkonthewildside]

its my first time to make a decision on using rescue pack. i am not nearly as bad as last years infections when i got anti biotics from my doctor. apart from feeling weak and tired from yesterdays coughing fit i dont have any other symptoms.see how the next few days go

[Walkonthewildside in reply to johngk]

Yes, see how it goes over the next few days. If what you cough up looks a bit suspect, then maybe ask your GP if you can provide a sputum sample for testing. That was the advice given to me by the Respiratory Nurse when I did my sessions of pulmonary rehabilitation.

[Mariella49]

I always used to pick up some sort of virus on flights, then I started using First Defence spray up my nose before boarding. No problems since. I also carry disinfectant wipes for any hard surfaces around my seat (tray, arm rests etc.) If I notice the person next to me is showing signs of a cold, I am not embarrassed to put my face mask on,, even if I am the only person on the flight wearing one. Better to look like a cranky old woman than end up with with an infection!

[johngk in reply to Mariella49]

thanks mariella.i also use first defence and covonia sore throat spray which i think have helped me this year. if we fly again i will take a mask with me

[Lutontown]

The air in most aeroplanes is very poor, and think may be recycled; I don't know. I think I may have picked up an infection flying to and from Edinburgh years ago. Took a long time to get rid of, I seem to remember. Don't fly now for a number of reasons, one being air lowish in oxygen doesn't agree with me.

[Wibble28]

I don't have the same problem as you but I recently posted about problems with regards to the change in weather.Many people responded to say they have the same problem with the weather and hotter is better.

Maybe the fact you have returned from holiday means your lungs need to readjust.

I agree with you that you should wait a few more days and then do something.

Good luck

[johngk in reply to Wibble28]

i had no problems during the winter but i have noticed slight changes in my chest and breathing since the weather has got warmer.

thanks for your reply and info