Teenager with barking cough-drs or not?

[Jordiebore193]

15 year old, feels well, no temp, good appetite, no other symptoms at all really but he's had a barking cough for a week now.

Would you see a doctor?

Watching!
Sounds like my tween has the same virus, but we are a few days behind you.
We're not thinking he needs a medical assessment currently.

I've had a cough for 3 weeks or so. It hasn't even crossed my mind to go to a pharmacy let alone the doctor.

It's different when it's your child though and you don't know exactly how they're feeling with it, it's your responsibility to make that call. He's been barking non stop this evening.

Take a look at the NHS guidance, it's pretty good for stuff like this where you're not sure if a GP is needed. Personally I'd give it another week if he's well with no temp. But I'm not doctor. Is he managing to sleep ok?

GP will listen to the chest sounds and can figure it out from there

What might sound ok today might sound dreadful next week if it deteriorates

DS has the same, says his back hurts from coughing so much but is otherwise well. Seen the GP and they say his chest is clear, something seems to be doing the rounds

My near 4yr old had similar and took him to the Dr's after 3 weeks said it was viral as it only came on at night. First thought it was croup but was fine mostly in the day. Carried on another 3 weeks as they said it can take 6 weeks to go. Still barking away. Gave my son some montelukast tablets. Cough completely stopped after 2 doses and been fine since.

My son had this. I think he had Covid and it lingered for about 3 weeks. Then his friend came round at the weekend and also had a barking cough. Seems to be something at least doing the rounds. Both boys are fine otherwise, eating etc.

NHS site says see a doctor if you have a persistent cough for more than three weeks, so maybe it should cross your mind if it doesn't go soon!

Wow! Would you like your medal in the post or shall I alert Rishi that you're up to receiving it in person?

I’d start with a pharmacist.

If he feels fine then don't worry. Give it a couple of weeks (assuming he continues to feel fine) and if it's still there see your GP.

For 1 week, no. 3-4 weeks, yes

Apparently whooping cough is on the rise again.

My friend's tween was barking away and she thought they had the 100 day cough, phoned for advice and the GP asked them to come in for a swab as they'd already had a case in the area.

Oh yes we have this. I e had 2 long weeks and I am so worn down by it, I have finally called in sick. All my colleagues are suggesting gp but I don't think it is on my chest so I think it is just a cough. No temperature, and otherwise basically ok. A good night's sleep would help though.

My dd1 (15) is just coming out of this now. Same as OP. No other symptoms. Just a rasping, hacking, wheezing cough. Pretty sure it was whooping cough, but went to the doctor too late at 3 weeks! I would see a doctor after 2 weeks, otherwise it could be too late for antibiotics, if it's not viral. My dd caught it from someone else at school. It's definitely going around!

Not to worry you but me and dd have had the same…. Mine for 7 weeks, dd11 for 9, it’s dwindling now, but had a barking cough for about 3 weeks, still got the cough, but not half as bad, also didn’t have any other symptoms, it’s a catch 22 going to drs because they tell you to wait 10 days as it’s a virus, and but the time you go back it’s too late to treat it and you’ve got to let it run it’s course.

Both whooping cough and Covid are bloody everywhere atm it seems

DS and I have had the same. I haven't barked since I was a child. I'm on day 15 and finally getting slightly better. I soldiered on until day 13 and the exhaustion was so bad that I called in sick. A couple of days in bed have really helped. Still coughing a bit and still tired but getting there. DS had a horrible cough for 8 or 9 days before it started to ease.

I am never, ever ill but this has been a hideous cough. Otherwise well apart from the exhaustion and the persistent cough.

DS 14 started with this yesterday so came looking as he’s never just had a cough . I Was expecting temp, sore throat to come on but he’s otherwise fine just a barking cough . Will see how he goes as it seems to be going around .

My poor DD has a racking cough where she can't stop. 2 weeks now but is eating and not too ill otherwise.
I have an O2 meter from covid times and that reassured me her oxygen was 99%. She has asthma too but says she isnt wheezy just that god damn cough!
I know how you feel though about reaching for the phone but I think if they are otherwise ok I would leave it for now.
If you get really worried our GP surgery nurses are always willing to listen to chest and your surgery might do similar.

DS17 has this, week 3, and I’ve had it for a week. Tiring because it wakes you up at night. He’s soldiering on with cough medicine and early nights, pretty cheerful, lots of appetite, just horrible coughing fits. I’m thinking it’ll run its course, unless something gets worse like coughing phlegm or blood (nothing like that now) or chest pain. So far it’s just debilitating.

So glad to find this thread as my son (13) has the same thing. Horrendous barking cough that is so violent sometimes that it’s making him sick, also lost his voice I’m assuming from the virus and all the coughing.

No temperature as yet, oxygen ok ish albeit a bit on the low side so keeping an eye on that. What is this virus? (Took him to gp this morning who said it is a virus).

Poor boy isn't getting a good night sleeps due to the almost constant coughing. ☹️

Still hacking away here. We haven't seen the GP yet as he's still absolutely fine otherwise but he's getting tired with it. I thought I'd give it until Thursday and if there's no improvement I'll ask for a GP phone call, let them decide if he needs a check up or not. I'm amazed DH and I haven't caught it as he's barking all over everything!