Mature - definitely not! Funny - oh yes!

[Lealee]

I’m sure I’m like a lot of others who cough a lot and feel like they are constantly apologising for it...

Today I was on the tube and coughed several times - covered my mouth and just finished antibiotics (feeling a lot better) so 100% NOT contagious. The woman sat next to me l kept giving me filthy looks and covering her mouth - drawing the attention of the male opposite.

Normally this embarrasses me and I apologise and I say I’m not contagious I have dodgy lungs.

However today I thought no [edited], she’s being rude and why should constantly explain myself especially when I cover my mouth!

So 😁 I decided to on purposely cough more, the more I coughed the more I laughed. The guy opposite realised what I was doing and started laughing. The woman was not amused and sat with her hand over her mouth... I was tempted to stay and cough for the rest of her journey but have a train to catch x

[Ruach]

Good for you!!

[Toci]

I agree, it is so annoying. And so difficult to deal with in a public place. What is a small cold to one person could be months with an exacerbation and antibiotics for those of us with a lung problem. People don't seem to realise the dangers posed by coughing and spluttering all over and how very careful we have to be. There should be by-laws against it, as there is for spitting in public.

[Lealee in reply to Toci]

I always make sure I cover my mouth and use anti bac but have always felt like I should apologise for coughing. This woman was so rude and made such an issue over it. It did make me giggle x

[Toci in reply to Lealee]

I obviously misread your post. Perhaps she was as worried as you usually are?

[Lealee in reply to Toci]

Lol I thought so. I thought the same at first but then realised my coughs were quiet for me, also I turned away and covered my mouth. It was the look of disgust she gave.

I finally got fed up for apoligising for a condition I can’t help having and I’m finally learning to accept.

[cofdrop-UK]

Maybe, just maybe she might have had respiratory problems herself!

cx

[Lealee in reply to cofdrop-UK]

I did think that but I reserved my dirty looks for the ones that don’t cover their mouths. I considered telling her I cough due to bronch and decided there was no point she had already judged x

[Hidden]

Well done you! And very brave!

[Lealee in reply to Hidden]

Thanks littlepom x I’ve spent 4 years saying sorry I’m not contagious I have dodgy lungs. Today I just had enough. I accept my bronch. I always make sure I cover my mouth or try to suppress the coughs and I’m sick of having to explain it.

That’s the deceptive thing with lung conditions, unless you have oxygen or some other visible symptoms everyone assumes that your fit and healthy.

X

[Lealee]

I own the bronch it doesn’t own me x

[Hidden in reply to Lealee]

Absolutely!

[Caspiana]

Some people can be rude.😠 I carry a big handkerchief and cough into that. It muffles the sound a bit and makes me feel less embarrassed. I also try to carry heavy duty mints. It helps when my throat is extra tickly. 😐

Take good care.

Cas xx 🌿

[Lealee in reply to Caspiana]

I haven’t tried mints, I think I’ll have to give them a try. I usually cough into my scarf but I washed it and didn’t take it yesterday.

Xx

[Caspiana in reply to Lealee]

I know what you mean. My handkerchief often gets lost in my bag amongst a sea of "things". 😅

[hypercat54]

Oh good for you x

[Weeannie]

Well done you, what a silly woman (being polite as it’s so early) x

[Hidden]

Not funny at all. How did you know the lady didn’t have bronchiectasis or similar herself? Or she could’ve been on chemo & even more vulnerable, because of neutropenia? She wasn’t to know you’ve been on antibiotics & don’t consider yourself infectious. You can always tell when someone is coughing deliberately. I try not to cough in crowded spaces, it obviously does worry others, as it does me when they do it. If a person is rude enough to say anything, then I’d speak up, but otherwise I extend the same courtesy to others I expect from them.

[Titian8]

Heard recently that school children here are being taught to sneeze into the crook of their elbow when in public areas,in order to contain germs. Also know that to stop a sneeze, in its tracks, try tickling the roof of your mouth with your tongue-it actually works a lot of the time (can't remember where I got that info from).

I'd really like to know ways to suppress a cough temporarily, any suggestions as this would really help when in the cinema when the mints and water are not having an effect.

[Nanagaga]

Like your style lol!......

[copdber]

I know exactly how you feel as well as having copd I have cough vairent asthma. I've been on steroids 13 months as well as all the usual inhalers. I'm still coughing. What I hate most is people that I hardly know offering advice like you should see your dr or you should give up those cigs. I stoped smoking 10 years ago the day I was diagnosed

[Lealee in reply to copdber]

I know what you mean. People assume that you are a smoker or that somehow the coughing and illness are due to our actions. My bronch came from a serious car crash were I had very bed chest injuries. I quit smoking a long time before hand after my mum was diagnosed with copd.

I wouldn’t wish lung disease on anyone. It’s annoying having people advice you quit smoking/see a doctor:take vitamins. X