What exactly is a "new persistent cough"?

[sluj]

The definition of a persistent cough is one you have had for a while and won't go away. If that's the case, how can it be a "new" cough?
I'm expecting some confusion at work tomorrow about who should self isolate on this basis

@Aragog

That's the thing, I'm not sure whether the advice is 'huddle in bed and wait for them to come paint a cross on the door' even if you just have an ordinary cough, or only if you feel really ill with a really severe one. I developed a cough a couple of days ago, just an ordinary tickly one so far, with a bit of a fluctuating temperature. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Will the public lynch me if I step out of doors? I didn't stock pile as I wasn't that worried, having been ill with one virus or another all winter anyway I didn't think this one would make much difference, but if anyone with a new cough is meant to remain at home I am in trouble!

also, at what point does a cough and/or fever become dangerous? and what is the advice then? if 111 wont even test, how does a person who feels more seriously ill get medical attention?

so confused.

@aWeaponCalledtheWord how serious are you talking?

The advice for self-management is pretty much the same as flu - stay clean and hydrated and rest.
If you think you need hospitalisation call 999 because presumably at that point you'll be struggling to breathe properly and that's a clear emergency.

Well I have had a dry cough for 3 days, and it is getting worse.
But I have always been prone to these.
Also DD (14) came home yesterday with a sore throat, worse today, keeps losing her voice briefly. She says it really hurts!
Would you self isolate?

i take methotrexate for arthritis and my thyroid is beyond fucked. i just wondered where the escalation point is from self-isolate to seek medical attention.

lots of people will likely feel like shit for a couple of weeks then recover. in a situation where the health service becomes overwhelmed, as in Italy, what happens to those who ‘feel’ more seriously ill?

just worrying out loud, really.

@aWeaponCalledtheWord it's difficult because we've seen how many people abuse the system when there's not a pandemic so I'm also worried now. I'm fortunate enough to be in good health but worry for those who aren't.

I guess if you think you're ill enough for medical attention but not ill enough for an ambulance your first port of call would be a telephone consultation with a GP. 111 have GPs in their call centres if you needed advice out of hours.

111 will still help people who need it - they just don't have the capacity to speak to everyone with a sore throat.

All these posters saying "I have a cough/my child has a cough and cold symptoms, should I self isolate?"
Or "I have a fever and a cough but I'm sure it's something else"

YES - stay at home for 7 days.

The advice is literally - even if you have mild symptoms, stay at home.
If you or you child has a cough or a fever, stay at home.

Doesn't matter if you also have a runny nose or tummy ache - people with coronavirus have reported a range of symptoms. If you are even mildly ill and have a cough or fever, stay at home.

Maybe the Govt. is right that British people just won't comply

I came down with something shivery last night but have no cough - still assuming I should be SI but I have assessed (in person) group projects for uni next week - I'm not sure how to self isolate without proof I'm actually ill ? Especially as it would disadvantage the rest of my group :S

The NHS website describes a cough lasting for more than 3 weeks as as “persistent cough”.

Do they mean a “new continuous cough”, which is what the BBC is reporting?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51857856

Coronavirus: People with fever or 'continuous' cough told to self-isolate

@OneStepOneStumble it won't disadvantage them as much as Coronavirus

To be fair they did say isolate for 7 days even with mild symptoms

@GiveHerHellFromUs while true. My university haven't been the most understanding of the covid spread in general

That’s fine LowcaAndroidow, I’m happy to isolate myself and DS as we both have a snotty nose and a cough. Should I isolate my 2 DD’s who have the snotty nose without the cough? No fever?

@OneStepOneStumble it doesn't matter. What if you have the virus and pass it on to someone with cystic fibrosis who passes it on to their elderly grandma? Would you care what uni thought then?

Hoffi - I'd definitely keep all the kids off. If your DH has no symptoms and can keep away from the rest of you then I'd say he's fine to carry on. But ultimately it's your judgement call.

My DD was sent home from childminders with a high temperature today. So she's staying home for 7 days. The advice on the government website is clear. She has a high temperature which started today so she will be off until next Friday. It isn't ideal and her symptoms are very mild but as they have clearly said, however mild you must self isolate for 7 days. If you are questioning it then get on the phone to 111 tonight or read up on the government website there's a great stay at home guide.
We have to follow these instructions, so even if it seems like a mild case you need to.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

I think they’ve cocked the messaging up on this. It’s confusing and will be hard with children. Eg will nurseries be excluding children for a week with a teething fever etc. All the discussion will be around ssp for if you’re sick but if parents have to take a week off each time a child gets a fever (possibly unpaid as no sick pay for caring for dependents), no-one will stick to it and it just won’t happen.

@Cremebrule nurseries know the difference between a teething fever and illness

Don't phone 111 if you have mild symptoms, they are going to be overwhelmed. Just look online, and follow the advice.

Thanks LowcaAndroidow. DH has no symptoms, can’t really keep away from the rest of us but is able to work from home so we’ll all hole up inside for a while!

@Cremebrule "will nurseries be excluding children for a week with a teething fever etc"
Yes. Anyone with a fever needs to stay home for 7 days.

@GiveHerHellFromUs there's no difference between a "teething fever" and a fever If a child has a temperature, they have a temperature, there's no way for a nursery to diagnose the cause.

There's been some really bad coughs around this season; we've all had the same 4 separate ones since October. I've only just got over the last infection which had a fever at the start, aches etc. It went down into my lungs and rattled a lot. Not dry though, those really trigger my asthma.

Dh has yet another cold and bit of a minor cough...

It a cough that you can’t cough out - the way you would if you got a bit of water in your windpipe for example.

If in doubt - self isolate. This is a once in a century thing.