Continuous cough meaning

[SunshineOutdoors]

Hi, please don’t flame me I genuinely can’t work out what a continuous cough means and have searched the Internet and 111. Is coughing approx once an hour for a couple of days continuous? Once every 15 mins? Dictionary definition of ‘continuous’ is without interruption. Surely it doesn’t mean coughing non-stop?

I don't know either. I wish they'd define it! I had a little bit of a cough at the end of last week, coughing once or twice every ten mins or so, no temp. I googled away and decided that wasn't continuous so carried on as normal. Today my cough is probably every few minutes, so I'm now not sure. My daughter's nursery said it's if you can't stop coughing all day.

My ds (6) is at the end of a bad cold and is now coughing, but is going I think at least 15 mins between coughs, so I’m thinking it’s not continuous? But has been coughing like this for a couple of days. I was set on isolating him but now it seems a bit silly to do so? His coughing is also getting less frequent.

No temperature.

I'd like to know this also! DS (12) has had a cough the last couple of days. Not chesty, no temperature, no sore throat. Coughing maybe three times an hour (best guess average)

Under normal circumstances I'd have no hesitation sending him into school but obviously with the virus etc I'm dithering.

No problems with work/childcare

Can't find a definition. WWYD??

Basically it's not "I coughed yesterday at 3pm"

It's "I keep coughing."

it literally speaks for itself. namely not just the odd tickle.

@seven201

You have a persistent cough. You should be self isolating.

@thesheepofwallstreet thank you. I think I probably count now.

I forgot to mention that my cough isn't dry, although it doesn't specify whether dry or phlegm in the guidance anyway.

You can see why there is confusion as the dictionary definition for continuous is "without a pausee* or breakk*".

Run through this, OP:

111.nhs.uk/covid-19

I’m guessing a persistent cough is equivalent to the frequency of like a dry tickle cough. The sort that just keeps coming, makes it hard to sleep, talk, etc.
Having said that, I intend to isolate with any type of cough, except obviously the occasional clearing of the throat. I’d just hate to spread it to others. My ds 4 has a snotty nose and wet cough, although nothing major, but I’m keeping him out of nursery.

On the nhs website it says “started coughing repeatedly”.

I’d say coughing every few minutes fits that definition

I filled in the feedback box on the nhs diagnostic survey thingy to say that continuous is just too vague.

I've let work know I won't be coming in now.

Not continuous - cough, cough...……...nothing for ages.

Continuous - cough, cough, cough cough.....cough, cough, cough....cough...…………………………………..cough, cough...…………………………….cough, cough, cough, cough...…………………………………..cough...………………………………………………………….cough, cough, cough, cough, cough, cough...……………...cough.

I should know. I've listened to enough kids doing it whilst waiting for their parents to come and get them.

I have been trying to look this up as well. My daughter has a cold and about every 30 mins to an hour she has a single cough (which I know for experience is trying to clear the nasal drip at back of throat). No fever or other symptoms. I decided this is not a continuous cough which I thought was akin to a coughing fit. But maybe I am wrong?

I was just about to post this same question. I have a horrible cold, sore throat and a cough that's come with it. I wouldn't describe it as a persistent cough, but a maybe couple of small coughs every 30 minutes or so. No fever.

I'm supposed to be in work in central London tomorrow. It's a 40 minute train journey and then a tube to get to my open plan office. Thinking I need to work from home even though I'm 99% sure it's just a cold.

according to NHS nurse, every few secs.

@joek1234 did you hear that first hand? Now I feel that I should go to work!

A cough rather than clearing your throat every now and again.

@seven201yes, on 111 helpline.

Hi, have the same question so watching with interest. My daughter has a cough, but it is not every few seconds.

I agree also this is way way too vague- I had whooping cough a few years ago. That was a horrendous cough and I still wouldn't necessarily describe it as 'continuous' as there were bouts of nothing in between for several hours.