Bad cough - go on a holiday or cancel?

[Whitesky75]

Apologies in advance. I’m hoping any doctors/ nurses/pharmacists here could help me figure out what’s going on.

I’ve had cough for over 10 days now. Deep unproductive cough. Thursday, I started having yellowish green mucus (nose) so I got antibiotics from the GP. I don’t feel any better- but I just realised I’ve been taking 2 a day when they said 3,

Right now, my nose is not blocked, but I can feel the mucus in the throat as I swallow (sorry TMI). After steam inhalation, I’m able to blow out clear mucus through my nose. When I cough, left side of my chest hurts. No fever, I’m just a bit tired from coughing.

Going away on a holiday on Wednesday - I’m wondering if I should cancel or just go ahead. it’s a trip to Scottish highlands with friends, we won’t be around civilisation for hours at a time. Road trip, nothing strenuous.

Well, whatever it is, you obviously caught it from someone else, so I’m not sure your friends would relish spending hours shut in a car with you - if you’re still infectious then they’d be bound to catch it under those circumstances.

I think you have two things to consider:

1. Do you actually feel well enough to go, and do all the things you’ve planned ? And

1. If you do, are your friends willing to risk getting ill?

If you feel well enough to go, I think you have to give your friends the choice - it’s not fair otherwise.

We are not going in the same car. I’m with DH and 2 teens in our car. Staying in separate accommodation.

Agree with above just talk to your friends;

will they lose money if you cancel?

are they ok potentially catching this themselves?

do your family want to be in a car with you for hours coughing

BUT you might be much better by Wednesday in any case if you’re already on antibiotics? It’s a relatively long time away to be making a decision today.

I would never question this, because it's obvious..... just go on holiday!! The break will do you good, so have a lovely time.

PS. Also hope you do feel better soon, if it’s like what’s been going around for months we’ve had something similar with a persisting fever and it was awful.

I personally wouldn't even consider cancelling unless I was genuinely too ill to go, wouldn't cancel just for a cough.

If you actually feel ok enough to go, then go.

As pp above no way would I cancel for a bad cough. You’ll be outside a lot (hopefully)

Just stock up on drinks. Meds and tissues for the journey.

Thank you.

Im well enough right now. Just concerned I’ll get worse while on holiday - remote Scotland

I'd never go somewhere remote while actively unwell. If you're not starting to improve tomorrow with the correct antibiotic dose then I think you should stay at home.

You have 4 more days of AB.

You don't feel unwell.

Keep hydrated. The fresh air will probably do you good!

It depends how remote you’re going to be staying but if you’re worried there are pharmacies here that would see you and most prescribe. Where are you going that there’s no pharmacy nearby?

I wouldn't go off hiking remotely and I probably wouldn't go to one of the very small islands with no medical care if I was ill and worried about it progressing. But as long as you don't have a history of pneumonia or any underlying conditions, are not feeling breathless, are feeling well enough to travel, and are picking up by Wednesday then the mainland Highlands will be fine. There's doctors if needed. Just please be aware it's an elderly population so try and keep your germs to yourself :)

Cancel for a cough? I wouldn’t dream of it.

The smaller rural doctors surgery's are usually dispensing ones if there's not a chemists nearby.

Get a cough medicine with Guaifenesin in to loosen everything and help you clear your chest. Take the full course of antibiotics. Continue steam inhalation. Drink plenty, get fresh air and go on your holiday.

No I wouldn’t be thinking about cancelling, start getting the full dose of antibiotics down you asap and rest up over the next couple of days.

I wouldn’t be planning on any strenuous activities- but you can always chill with a book or something if they’re planning on doing massive hikes or rock climbing or anything?

If you're up and about eating and drinking, doing your typical day to day activities, not short of breath, not coughing blood, none of your medical hx is suggestive of vulnerability i.e. just finished chemo, brittle asthma etc, then absolutely go.

I'm surprised you were given abx for the symptoms you describe, unless there's something missing from your info so far they were given outside of guidelines and it's completely unsurprising that you don't feel any better for them. It's extremely rare for them to make any benefit in these types of infections and typically you just get the damage to your gut/side effects.

You are describing normal upper respiratory tract infection symptoms which are classically expected to improve over 3-4 weeks, you're on day 10 so you 'shouldn't' be better yet really, but also wouldn't expect any significant worsening and improving over the next 2-3 weeks.

I think if you're normally fit and well, and despite the cough feel okay in yourself, it's fine to go.

The fresh air and a bit of very gentle exercise will probably help!

Coughs are notorious for taking weeks to heal! I used to get a bad cough like yours about every 18 months, although less often as I've got older, and I used to sigh, because I knew I'd be stuck with it for at LEAST 3 weeks!

Are you normally fit and well. Do you have underlying respiratory conditions which could cause immediate risk to health?

The fact your travelling with family members who you live with and have separate accommodation to friends would be reassuring for me.

Personally I wouldn’t cancel my break.

You will be fine, no where in the UK is that remote or isolated.

Have you also tried taking anti histamine as perhaps hayfever is also impacting you

Thanks a ton everyone!! I’m well and healthy otherwise. No pre-existing health conditions luckily.

DH and I have been coughing for weeks but are still going on our holiday to Scotland and Ireland next week.

I had COVID recently. I tested negative the night before my flight. I know I'll get shot down but I was all set to go if I was still positive.
Go on the holiday and look after yourself the next few days

I would make an appointment with the Dr, before you go. Explain the situation, ask for a 'just in case' prescription to take with you. A heavier duty anti-biotic.

And if you work, have 2 sick days before you go. Rest, stay in bed OP.