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Original poster

DH horrendous cough

273 replies

justbananas42 · 12/11/2021 22:17

DH is on day 4 of isolation and his cough is really terrible. It’s practically non stop and he’s wretching occasionally as well. He also feels very under the weather, like he has a case of flu or something. He’s 44 years old and double jabbed with Astra Zeneca. I’m worried Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
justbananas42 · 13/11/2021 21:18

I think the worry is that coughing that much might indicate pneumonia.

Pneumonia?! Oh my god Sad What are the other signs of that?

OP posts:
Original poster
justbananas42 · 13/11/2021 21:23

Sorry, I don’t know why I’m asking you when I can just google. He has quite a few of the pneumonia symptoms!! I can’t ask him about all of them as he went to bed at 8.30. Should I just wait now and see how he is in the morning? I’m panicking.

OP posts:
HarveySchlumpfenburger · 13/11/2021 21:26

Don’t panic. You can have a lot of pneumonia symptoms without it being pneumonia.

I wouldn’t necessarily wake him up but it probably might be an idea to get him checked out tomorrow if he isn’t improving.

Original poster
justbananas42 · 13/11/2021 21:31

At what point do you need to go to hospital for Covid?

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Muchtoomuchtodo · 13/11/2021 21:39

Usually when you’re struggling to breathe and /or your oxygen levels are dangerously low.

Getting hold of an oximeter would be a good thing to do. Can you ask if anyone has one that you can use tonight? Friends, local Facebook group etc?

Try to make sure he’s drinking plenty even if eating is too much atm.

Original poster
justbananas42 · 13/11/2021 21:40

Yes, he’s feeling weak due to lack of eating (he thinks) but is also off his food. I keep saying he needs to eat to keep up his strength but as usual he doesn’t listen! Sad

OP posts:
Gubanc · 13/11/2021 21:46

Honestly, OP, call 111.
I don't want to frighten you, it can be just a bad cough but you can't be sure.

disconnecteddrifter · 13/11/2021 21:52

I used cocodamol it's indicated to stop coughs.

Sweettea1 · 13/11/2021 21:53

Every1 seems to be scaring OP he is double jabbed so should be fine try not to worry yo much. No 1 will do anything for his cough just gotta ride it out you already say its not as bad today.
Is he saying he cant breathe? Is he talking and can finish a sentence without being breathless. If so don't worry if not then call 111.

Purplewithred · 13/11/2021 21:55

I am not a medic, but please don't panic, many many people have had covid and felt absolutely rubbish like a proper dose of the flu and been fine after a week or so; a persistent cough is part of what covid does to you. If his coughing disturbs his sleep then he is going to feel crap and not wanting to eat much is all part of feeling ill too. He's 44 and double jabbed so the chances of him being anything more than averagely rubbish are pretty low.

Did you send off for your oximeter? If you get one, then the Sats number is a percentage and 'normal' is 94% or above but the number will fluctuate a bit (give it a bit of time to settle and it will range up and down a few % when it's on). If it's persistently below 94% then call 111 and see what they say. Don't be surprised if his pulse is a bit high too, that's all part of having an infection.

If you don't have an oximeter then you could ask on Facebook to see if anyone would lend you one (lots of people have them now). But they are a nice to have not a necessity - just keep an eye on him - lots of fluids, regular paracetamol, and if he can sleep and the coughing is easing that's a good sign.

If you are really concerned then call 111 or go to 111 online and get some advice from them.

Gubanc · 13/11/2021 21:56

@Sweettea1

Every1 seems to be scaring OP he is double jabbed so should be fine try not to worry yo much. No 1 will do anything for his cough just gotta ride it out you already say its not as bad today. Is he saying he cant breathe? Is he talking and can finish a sentence without being breathless. If so don't worry if not then call 111.
My OH was weak, had a cough, barely ate. We checked his blood saturation, it was 92. Ambulance took him into hospital. Google silent hypoxia.
Original poster
justbananas42 · 13/11/2021 22:07

My OH was weak, had a cough, barely ate. We checked his blood saturation, it was 92. Ambulance took him into hospital. Google silent hypoxia.

I’m not going to sleep tonight now - I’m terrified.

I don’t want to call 111 as he’s asleep - it seems wrong to wake him up when they no doubt won’t do anything immediately anyway.

I’m so shocked, I thought many people had a really bad cough. I’m in tears with worry.

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Original poster
justbananas42 · 13/11/2021 22:11

Is he saying he cant breathe? Is he talking and can finish a sentence without being breathless.

I asked him that earlier - he said he felt a little bit breathless yesterday but is better today. Honestly he’s so uncommunicative when it comes to illness, it drives me up the wall.

OP posts:
Peridot1 · 13/11/2021 22:13

My 20 year old DS had Covid having no had both jabs.

He was really miserable. Constant bad cough. No appetite. Not sleeping because of the coughing. Headache. No energy.

After a week I remembered I had codeine tablets so I gave him some going to bed. Two nights sleep and he started to improve.

He wasn’t breathless at all but we do have an oximeter but didn’t need to use it.

Peridot1 · 13/11/2021 22:13

Having had both jabs!

covetingthepreciousthings · 13/11/2021 22:14

I second those saying to order and Oximeter, order one now OP. Hope your DH's cough subsides soon.

Original poster
justbananas42 · 13/11/2021 22:32

The oximeter will arrive on Monday. Just checked and DH is fast asleep.

OP posts:
TedGlenn · 13/11/2021 22:38

I would ask family/friends/neighbours/Facebook community groups for a oximeter. I would not wait until delivery on Monday. It could save you a day of worry, or get him the help if he needs it.

Original poster
justbananas42 · 13/11/2021 22:44

@TedGlenn is it that serious for DH then? Sad He’s going to end up in hospital isn’t he?

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covetingthepreciousthings · 13/11/2021 22:46

[quote justbananas42]@TedGlenn is it that serious for DH then? Sad He’s going to end up in hospital isn’t he?[/quote]
Not necessarily, it's just a precaution to be on the safe side Thanks If he can't finish a sentence due to breathlessness I'd seek medical help.

AlwaysLatte · 13/11/2021 22:47

Call 111, if nothing else but to put your mind at rest. You can wake him up then he can go back to sleep again. They will reassure you that he can go back to sleep or suggest he gets checked out. You're very worried and unlikely to be able to rest anyway. Do it now.

pipiandbelle · 13/11/2021 22:49

If you want an oximeter sooner to put your mind at rest, maybe you could find out where your nearest 24 hr chemist is and give them a ring? They may have one? Hope your DH feels a bit better tomorrow x

Original poster
justbananas42 · 13/11/2021 22:50

But they’re not going to send him to A&E for the symptoms I described surely, as loads of people have those. Don’t they?

I feel it’s more beneficial for his body to get a really good rest rather than wake him up.

OP posts:
Louisa111 · 13/11/2021 22:51

Please don't panic..it's a good sign that he's managed to get to sleep and is not coughing so don't wake him ..let him rest which when I had covid was the most important thing to do as your body needs it. I wish your Dh better and just call 111 if in doubt and they will advise you or calm you down.