Recurring cough (not covid)

[Violetroselily]

I've had a cough for the last 5 or 6 weeks that just will not shift. In week 1 I did a PCR as also had a sore throat and runny nose - negative. In week 4 I did an antibody test as part of the Zoe study which was negative. I've done LFTs each week which have always been negative. So am fairly certain it's not covid and I have no other symptoms.

I'm 30 and a non smoker. No significant health problems although I am overweight. I take levothyroxine for an underactive thyroid and also take ADs.

It's one of those dry coughs that feels like you can't catch your breath. It happens most days but not all day. Tends to be worse at night.

Is it time to the see the GP...? Am sure the initial response will be to do another covid test, but if that is also negative, does anyone have any suggestions of what else it could be?

I had this and needed steroids - and it led to a new diagnosis of asthma also. They say if you have a dry cough lasting more than 3 weeks see doctor asap, so that's what I did. It was really simple to sort out once she helped me

I was exactly the same op although mine lasted 3 weeks.
I would go and see a GP in your case

Could it be allergies? The pollen is very high at the moment and has been for a good couple of months.

Another possibility is silent reflux (or LPR as it's also known). It has a lot of symptoms that people don't usually associate with reflux. Have a google.

You don’t take an ACE inhibitor do you (something like ramipril, lisinopril etc)? They can cause a persistent dry cough, and it doesn’t always start when you first take them, but can be after a few weeks, or even months.

Allergies are another possibility, but really you need to speak to your gp as it’s been going on for more than 4 weeks.

Allergies. I have a cough at certain times of the year. No idea why but summer and hot weather no issues winter and always coughing especially at bedtime

@Bythemillpond that'll almost certainly be dust mite allergy. They love the warm, dry environment created by central heating and the lack of ventilation that winter brings.

Thanks everyone. Sounds like a chat with the GP is in order.

Allergies definitely a good shout...I've suffered with hay-fever in the past (though have been fine for the last 2 or 3 years) but symptoms have always been runny nose and itchy eyes.

What can be used to alleviate a cough caused by allergies? Do antihistamines help?