To go on train coughing guts up?

[LastTrainHoome]

I went away last Monday within the UK, 5 hour train away and was meant to return on Thursday. However I came down with a really chesty productive cough and have been feeling generally rubbish. I had lateral flows with me for work and have now done 5 all negative and whilst up here have had a negative PCR. I have extended my stay twice first to Saturday then again on Saturday until today. I'm still feeling a bit rubbish but lemsip flu plus is helping and I'm a lot better except the cough is bad and is happening a lot. I'm feeling so panicky at the thought of being on a train coughing this much but I need to get home to my very little boys (both under two) and I'm going to struggle to afford to stay here any longer accommodation wise. I don't have a car and no one that can pick me up from this location. AIBU to get the train? If I wear a double mask and try my hardest (appreciate it's our of my hands overall) to pick a quiet seat? I am sure it isn't covid after so many negative tests but appreciate other passengers won't know that.

@Kiduknot

Just apologise loudly to people sitting near you and reassure them that you’ve had a pcr test. Others nearby will also hear and be reassured too.

This. Just speak to people to reassure them it's not Covid.

Air-conditioning makes me cough like a bastard. When it happens, I tell people around me so they know. It's never been a problem after that.

I’d take any cough remedies you can to try to suppress it. Also lessens the chance of you passing on your non covid germs.

I was going to say the same as a pp - if you can afford to go to first class I might as it lessens the number of others around you.

@DeadGood

Honestly I would go, but put a note on the table in front of me saying “it’s not Covid” or similar!

Really?

People cough all the time on public transport.

Can you hire a car?

Agree with the sweets to suck/drink to slowly sip and codeine to suppress the cough (if using co-codamol don't take lemsip too due to paracetamol).

You can also do things like wander out to the toilet/by the door at stations etc to have a big cough when you need to, but you're ill and need to get home.

You poor thing! Head home.
The coughing does put everyone on edge doesn’t it? I remember reading something that said ‘we used to cough to cover up a fart. Now we fart to cover up a cough’

Go home, cough sweets and mask, tissues abd hand gel. If anyone sits near tell them youve got a cough but yoi got a negative PCR

I think you're going to have to just go for it and explain to anyone who is looking anxious that it definitely isn't Covid.

I predict we will all be facing the same dilemma at some point this winter!

Just wave your negative PCR at anyone who says anything! (Joking!)

If you can get Codeine Linctus from behind the counter, that stuff is great.

I coughed in Aldi the other day. You'd have thought I'd committed a murder the way people looked at me. Not Covid, just a dodgy ticker that sometimes makes me cough 🤷🏻‍♀️

Just go home to your boys, you'll have proof of negative tests in case anyone asks not that they have a right too but Covid has made the public police everyone. Take plenty of water as well that should help. Can't advise on medication as I don't take cough/cold remedies due to aforementioned dodgy ticker. Safe travels op.

I have the same issue, hacking cough yhat has lingered for ages after a chest infection. I just tell everyone it's not COVID and continue with my day.

My problem is my boss who knows I have this cough for months now but insists I come in, (qgaon, have no problem with this, wear my mask, test before I go in, social distance and wipe everything), then acts weird and as if I'm a contagious leper when she is the one who forced me to come in in the first place. I dont know if she thinks I am putting it on at home to avoid coming into the office or my cough magically disappears when I leave the house.

I prefer staying home so I don't cause people unncessary worry but if the boss says come in, I don't really have a choice but to look like the selfish arsehole trying to make everyone in the office ill.

Yep just go home, like PP's siggest get cough medicine and boiled sweets if you can, and warm drink.

If anyone sats anything just say you've been tested and its negative. You have my sympathy, I've also got a bad cough with a negative pcr!