DH horrendous cough

[justbananas42]

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

Also, what I don’t understand about the Nurofen is that whilst it’s great his temperature is back into the normal range from taking it every four hours, what happens when he stops - will his temperature just go straight back up again? How long does he need to keep taking it for to ensure this doesn’t happen?

My friend has a chest infection and got antibiotics after ringing 111.

I feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall Maybe I should ring on his behalf tomorrow and insist on antibiotics. I just don’t understand why they started him on codeine (quite a strong medicine) then downgraded to throat sweets and haven’t offered anything else.

the thing with taking regular Ibruprofen or paracetamol is you are going to mask a temperature and then 111 etc are not taking seriously enough that he has a temperature after all this time.

I'd ring back 111 and make it clear that he has a temperature if he doesn't take meds, his sats are not improving at all, he has lost weight and any other symptoms

He needs looking at to see if he does have a bacterial infection on top and he needs some bloods to see if his inflammation markers are high.

I understand you are worried op but presumably this is a nasty bout of covid so wouldn't respond to antibiotics

I'd ring back 111 and make it clear that he has a temperature if he doesn't take meds, his sats are not improving at all, he has lost weight and any other symptoms

We’ve done this pretty much several times. It’s extremely draining ringing them, answering all the questions and then being called back by someone and being told to buy cough medicine over the counter and drink warm water. Why aren’t they taking it seriously?!

@Kikkomam

I understand you are worried op but presumably this is a nasty bout of covid so wouldn't respond to antibiotics

viral respiratory infections can predispose to bacterial infections. It's not unusual for people with severe Covid to need antibiotics to clear an opportunistic bacterial infection. One can't guess though, it needs looking at by a healthcare professional.

And sorry if I’m coming across a little unhinged tonight. I’m just at my wits end - DH is very unwell, has been for two weeks and I feel like no one is listening to us.

I don’t know if there’s a doctor on here who could advise?!

@justbananas42

I'd ring back 111 and make it clear that he has a temperature if he doesn't take meds, his sats are not improving at all, he has lost weight and any other symptoms

We’ve done this pretty much several times. It’s extremely draining ringing them, answering all the questions and then being called back by someone and being told to buy cough medicine over the counter and drink warm water. Why aren’t they taking it seriously?!

I'm really sorry to read that they are not taking this seriously. I suppose he doesn't sound ill enough to them, sounds like he tries to put a brave face on it and push it away but they can't tell really just by talking to you. Having a temperature still at 2 weeks and sats at 93 should be looked at by a doctor and it is awful that you are being denied this :-(

I’m petrified that he’s going to end up with damaged lungs or something similar. What can I do?!!

Is it normal to be on an oximeter reading of 93 and still have a near constant cough two weeks in? Should we stop taking the Nurofen in case all that it’s doing is masking his high temperature? Can anyone help?

@justbananas42

I’m petrified that he’s going to end up with damaged lungs or something similar. What can I do?!!

Does your GP have an out of hours service that isn't 111? You could try them. DH needs to not minimise his symptoms when speaks to them, that's very important. Keep repeating, high temperature after 2 weeks. Sats getting worse. Continually coughing. Weight loss. Describe any pains, urine colour if it is dark, any skin signs.

Does your GP have an out of hours service that isn't 111?

No - it just says to call 111 if you need assistance out of hours. Should I just send DH to A&E?

Yes I think you need to talk to someone if he's minimising.

Yes I think you need to talk to someone if he's minimising.

I did say to him about his tendency to minimise, and he said he honestly didn’t when ringing 111 and his GP this morning. And they still didn’t want to know

I will call 111 yet again tomorrow and insist he is seen or at the very least, prescribed proper medication. But who is actually going to see him when he has Covid symptoms?

I am not a doctor but I do think your DH needs to be seen. Covid does sometime seem to lead to other infections which do need antibiotics even though it is a viral illness.

By the way, the NHS advice on ibuprofen is

“The usual dose for adults is one or two 200mg tablets 3 times a day. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of up to 600mg to take 4 times a day if needed. This should only happen under supervision of a doctor”

so be careful about DH taking nurofen every 4 hours without advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Hope you see some improvement soon.

Can I ring his GP’s surgery on his behalf and insist he is seen?! If not then I’m starting to think we have no choice but to go to A&E.

Yes you can ring.

I'm cross on your behalf, OP. Agree with previous poster that you need to watch nurofen doses - should only be 3 doses every 24 hours. However you can alternate with paracetamol (I think 4 doses in 24 hours) to keep a lid on his temperature.

It's infuriating that no-one has seen him. I hope a doctor sees this thread and can advise you whether the advice you've been given is appropriate because it doesn't feel like it!

Sorry to be graphic but how's his pee? If he still isn't peeing much, they might take that seriously.

Sorry I’m not sure. But if they don’t give him an appointment you can ask why them to make clear why they are refusing. If it’s because they don’t have immediate appointments available then ask them where they advise you to take DH.
You do need to be very clear about all his symptoms -the oxygen levels, temperature, lack of appetite, fatigue etc etc. If at any point though you feel things are getting even worse or more urgent then yes take him to hospital. No one here can really judge his condition and medical services are there to be used when you need help in this sort of situation.

I'm never one to say A&E but in your situation now i would go.

It's so frustrating when nobody listens. Way back in 2010 we all got swine flu and my then 3 year old ended up with double pneumonia - nobody was listening and I really really had to be firm and push for an x Ray which they did do and then he was treated.

O2 levels aren't great and he needs seen , are the kids school age? If so send them to school and drive him to a&e tomorrow morning. See if someone can pick them up from school.

If he's taking nurofen every 4 hours are you sure he isn't exceeding the daily dosage? Also nurofen can make your chest worse if you have asthma - I wonder if that could be a factor?

Seriously, get him seen and assessed tomorrow. Maybe it is 'just' the virus working its way through but maybe it's not and he needs treatment. You've nothing to lose.

Also see if you can get signed off or at least get a break for a few hours.

Medically trained but not a doctor, and went through milder symptoms with DH a few weeks ago, speaking regularly to his respiratory consultant brother on phone.

Take paracetamol not nurofen. Former recommended for Covid. Long term Nurofen not recommended, especially on empty stomach.

Move around before oximeter reading - swing arms, stretch chest, star jumps if able - usually brings up to good level (95+). If 92 or below after moving go to A&E (won't be allowed in initially but should have separate Covid room/ward/waiting area)

Lots of fluids more important than food.

If cough not improving keep pushing for GP phone consultation.

Move around before oximeter reading - swing arms, stretch chest, star jumps if able - usually brings up to good level (95+). If 92 or below after moving go to A&E

Thanks - I’m not an expert but wouldn’t that level of movement distort the reading? I just don’t want him to get any false high numbers I guess.

Thanks for flagging the Nurofen dosage - I thought it was two tablets every four hours. He’s been taking too much

And stay on top of the paracetamol, don't stop to see if symptoms being masked. Follow correct dosage - 1 or 2 500mg tabs up to 4 times daily with 4 hr gap (max 4g per day)

No it's oxygen saturation not heart rate. Advised by consultant.

And paracetamol not nurofen - this was advised near start of pandemic. Paracetamol can be taken on empty stomach, nurofen can't.