Cough 3+ weeks

[uniquefarang]

I intended to post a response to an earlier thread, but the thread was closed by the OP before I had the opportunity.

My comment was that a few months ago, I had the same symptoms as the OP: dry, unproductive cough that was much worse at night but easily triggered during the day by speaking or inhaling too suddenly/deeply. My husband's symptoms were not as severe, more typical of a cold. We think we both caught the same virus but it just manifested slightly differently. I was unable to sleep all night long because as soon as I would lie down, the coughing would begin. I tried pills, syrups, and home remedies but with limited effect. Since I was awake all night, I could hear that all my Thai neighbors were having the same problem, coughing all night long. A Thai friend told me that the local health agency (anamai) was encouraging everyone to come for in shots because of this outbreak. However, I was never able to verify what kind of shot (flu shot? other immunization? antibiotics?) they were providing. It would seem that they would have to know what they were dealing with in order to provide appropriate immunization or medication.

For anyone that recommends antibiotics, these are only effective for bacterial infections. In our case, it was evidently a virus, in which case taking antibiotics is not only completely unnecessary, doing so aggravates the global problem of multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Please do not ask for or accept antibiotics from your doctor or pharmacist (in Thailand, Australia, the USA, or anywhere else) unless you have tested positive for a bacterial infection that is unlikely to resolve on its own.

[meatboy]

after suffering the worst soar throat ever,hospital gave me steriods to open up the passage,after 7days then came the cough now past the 3weeks.

through the day maybe cough 6times,but going to bed or should i say up to watch telly[6pm] i am now convinced its the air con that aggravate the cough till the room reaches the required temp.almost non stop coughing for 2-3hrs.

[mommysboy]

after suffering the worst soar throat ever,hospital gave me steriods to open up the passage,after 7days then came the cough now past the 3weeks.

through the day maybe cough 6times,but going to bed or should i say up to watch telly[6pm] i am now convinced its the air con that aggravate the cough till the room reaches the required temp.almost non stop coughing for 2-3hrs.

There is an awful virus doing the rounds. And something that lasts a long time can develop in to bacterial infection. You might go back to the doctor for another consultation.

When your airways or nasal passages are extremely irritated just about anything can cause you to cough, air con, cooking, house dust, things that might not normally effect you.

Other than antibiotics if needed, there is not a lot that can help, other than sleep and relaxation.

[mommysboy]

OP, I think it would have been the flu jab, probably H1N1, aka, swine flu.

But what you describe doesn't sound like the flu, more the bad broncho virus/bronchitis, there isn't a jab for that.

In Thailand, antibiotics are routinely prescribed for upper respiratory tract infections, even viral ones, because of the risk of bacterial infection following a cold or bout of flu.

[Amusements]

This cough sounds like what I have been fighting all week. I went away last week and a lot of people were coughing their tits up, so as soon as I got home I took a zinc tablet every day, and so far it has not developed in to anything nasty.

The thing to remember about zinc, is that it helps keep the immunity system strong, but it does not stay in the body long as it flushed out, so you have to keep topped up if your fighting germs.

[uniquefarang]

OP, I think it would have been the flu jab, probably H1N1, aka, swine flu.

But what you describe doesn't sound like the flu, more the bad broncho virus/bronchitis, there isn't a jab for that.

In Thailand, antibiotics are routinely prescribed for upper respiratory tract infections, even viral ones, because of the risk of bacterial infection following a cold or bout of flu.

It is true that antibiotics are routinely prescribed for URTI, not just in Thailand but also in the USA, Australia, and elsewhere. Doctors often either anticipate or give in to patient demands for antibiotics. When patients start feeling better, they credit the antibiotics rather than the body’s immune response. However, “preventive antibiotics” (antibiotic prophylaxis) are contributing to an increase in stubborn pneumonia and staph infections and “flesh-eating” bacterial infections (necrotizing fasciitis). Even if a test for a bacterial infection is positive, infections in healthy individuals will usually go away without antibiotic use. It’s a matter of taking a long-range view of the problem vs wanting a quick solution that is actually contributing to a life-threatening problem. I, for one, want the antibiotics to work when I truly need them, but that will depend on the cooperation of the world population to stop asking for and prescribing antibiotics for every cold, flu, and minor infection.

From the Mayo Clinic:

“MRSA is the result of decades of often unnecessary antibiotic use. For years, antibiotics have been prescribed for colds, flu and other viral infections that don't respond to these drugs. Even when antibiotics are used appropriately, they contribute to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria because they don't destroy every germ they target. Bacteria live on an evolutionary fast track, so germs that survive treatment with one antibiotic soon learn to resist others.” (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mrsa/basics/causes/con-20024479)

MDROs: http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/mdro/mdro_3.html

[mommysboy]

Yes I think we all know this already, I guess it is about how your body handles cold and flu and where you are, for many in Bangkok for instance bacterial infection following a long heavy cold is very likely. I guess you are less effected. Certainly a bout of sinusitis is a misery for me, why suffer?

Over-prescription has been going on for years possibly decades- the balloon went up on the current crop of antibiotics and it won't come down again.

The real problem was always people not taking the full course, and evolution of course as even microbes mutate, so human stupidity and nature, not things that will ever be stopped.

[uniquefarang]

Yes I think we all know this already, I guess it is about how your body handles cold and flu and where you are, for many in Bangkok for instance bacterial infection following a long heavy cold is very likely. I guess you are less effected. Certainly a bout of sinusitis is a misery for me, why suffer?

Over-prescription has been going on for years possibly decades- the balloon went up on the current crop of antibiotics and it won't come down again.

The real problem was always people not taking the full course, and evolution of course as even microbes mutate, so human stupidity and nature, not things that will ever be stopped.

From the Centers for Disease Control:

“If You Have a Cold or Flu, Antibiotics Won't Work for You

Are you aware that colds, flu, most sore throats, bronchitis, and many sinus and ear infections are caused by viruses? Did you know that antibiotics do not help fight viruses? It's true. For the overwhelming majority of common respiratory infections, antibiotics are not helpful.

Antibiotics cure bacterial infections, not viral infections such as:

• Colds or flu

• Most coughs and bronchitis

• Most sore throats

• Runny noses

Taking antibiotics for viral infections will not:

• Cure the infection

• Keep other individuals from catching the illness

• Help you feel better

Antibiotics Can Cause More Harm than Good

Taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good:

• Taking antibiotics increases your risk of getting an antibiotic-resistant infection later.

• Antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in the gut, allowing more harmful bacteria, such as C. difficile, to grow in its place. Although this infection is more commonly found in hospitals, it also occurs in clinics outside of the hospital. Read more about C. difficile.

• Antibiotics cause 1 out of 5 emergency department visits for adverse drug events. Antibiotics are the most common cause of emergency department visits for adverse drug events in children under 18 years of age.

It’s important to only take antibiotics for bacterial infections since they can put you or your child at risk for harmful side effects and antibiotic-resistant infections.”

http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/about/should-know.html

[mommysboy]

Yes I think we all know this already, I guess it is about how your body handles cold and flu and where you are, for many in Bangkok for instance bacterial infection following a long heavy cold is very likely. I guess you are less effected. Certainly a bout of sinusitis is a misery for me, why suffer?

Over-prescription has been going on for years possibly decades- the balloon went up on the current crop of antibiotics and it won't come down again.

The real problem was always people not taking the full course, and evolution of course as even microbes mutate, so human stupidity and nature, not things that will ever be stopped.

From the Centers for Disease Control:

“If You Have a Cold or Flu, Antibiotics Won't Work for You

Are you aware that colds, flu, most sore throats, bronchitis, and many sinus and ear infections are caused by viruses? Did you know that antibiotics do not help fight viruses? It's true. For the overwhelming majority of common respiratory infections, antibiotics are not helpful.

Antibiotics cure bacterial infections, not viral infections such as:

• Colds or flu

• Most coughs and bronchitis

• Most sore throats

• Runny noses

Taking antibiotics for viral infections will not:

• Cure the infection

• Keep other individuals from catching the illness

• Help you feel better

Antibiotics Can Cause More Harm than Good

Taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good:

• Taking antibiotics increases your risk of getting an antibiotic-resistant infection later.

• Antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in the gut, allowing more harmful bacteria, such as C. difficile, to grow in its place. Although this infection is more commonly found in hospitals, it also occurs in clinics outside of the hospital. Read more about C. difficile.

• Antibiotics cause 1 out of 5 emergency department visits for adverse drug events. Antibiotics are the most common cause of emergency department visits for adverse drug events in children under 18 years of age.

It’s important to only take antibiotics for bacterial infections since they can put you or your child at risk for harmful side effects and antibiotic-resistant infections.”

http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/about/should-know.html

This is a misinformed rant against antibiotics in general.

Antibiotics have saved millions of lives. Yes of course they are not to be prescribed for purely viral illness. And they have been over prescribed, to the point where some are redundant, and the rest going that way.

But you are missing the point: for a person in Thailand, suffering a prolonged infection, it is good form to prescribe antibiotics as a preventative or curative measure. So when you had that bad broncho virus, that went on a few weeks, it would have been perfectly prudent to take a short course of antibiotics.

[uniquefarang]

Yes I think we all know this already, I guess it is about how your body handles cold and flu and where you are, for many in Bangkok for instance bacterial infection following a long heavy cold is very likely. I guess you are less effected. Certainly a bout of sinusitis is a misery for me, why suffer?

Over-prescription has been going on for years possibly decades- the balloon went up on the current crop of antibiotics and it won't come down again.

The real problem was always people not taking the full course, and evolution of course as even microbes mutate, so human stupidity and nature, not things that will ever be stopped.

From the Centers for Disease Control:

“If You Have a Cold or Flu, Antibiotics Won't Work for You

Are you aware that colds, flu, most sore throats, bronchitis, and many sinus and ear infections are caused by viruses? Did you know that antibiotics do not help fight viruses? It's true. For the overwhelming majority of common respiratory infections, antibiotics are not helpful.

Antibiotics cure bacterial infections, not viral infections such as:

• Colds or flu

• Most coughs and bronchitis

• Most sore throats

• Runny noses

Taking antibiotics for viral infections will not:

• Cure the infection

• Keep other individuals from catching the illness

• Help you feel better

Antibiotics Can Cause More Harm than Good

Taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good:

• Taking antibiotics increases your risk of getting an antibiotic-resistant infection later.

• Antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria in the gut, allowing more harmful bacteria, such as C. difficile, to grow in its place. Although this infection is more commonly found in hospitals, it also occurs in clinics outside of the hospital. Read more about C. difficile.

• Antibiotics cause 1 out of 5 emergency department visits for adverse drug events. Antibiotics are the most common cause of emergency department visits for adverse drug events in children under 18 years of age.

It’s important to only take antibiotics for bacterial infections since they can put you or your child at risk for harmful side effects and antibiotic-resistant infections.”

http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/about/should-know.html

This is a misinformed rant against antibiotics in general.

Antibiotics have saved millions of lives. Yes of course they are not to be prescribed for purely viral illness. And they have been over prescribed, to the point where some are redundant, and the rest going that way.

But you are missing the point: for a person in Thailand, suffering a prolonged infection, it is good form to prescribe antibiotics as a preventative or curative measure. So when you had that bad broncho virus, that went on a few weeks, it would have been perfectly prudent to take a short course of antibiotics.

Actually, I am in favor of antibiotics. And my misinformation is from the CDC.

[meatboy]

after suffering the worst soar throat ever,hospital gave me steriods to open up the passage,after 7days then came the cough now past the 3weeks.

through the day maybe cough 6times,but going to bed or should i say up to watch telly[6pm] i am now convinced its the air con that aggravate the cough till the room reaches the required temp.almost non stop coughing for 2-3hrs.

There is an awful virus doing the rounds. And something that lasts a long time can develop in to bacterial infection. You might go back to the doctor for another consultation.

When your airways or nasal passages are extremely irritated just about anything can cause you to cough, air con, cooking, house dust, things that might not normally effect you.

Other than antibiotics if needed, there is not a lot that can help, other than sleep and relaxation.

i will give it another week and see if it goes,my problem is,i cant take antibiotics as they interfere with my warfarin and i am allergic to penicillin.

[xylophone]

I think where "mommysboy" is coming from is that many doctors will prescribe antibiotics later on in the piece if one has a viral infection, mainly because the initial infection can cause inflammation and irritation of the tissues, leaving it open to a possible bacterial infection. Anyway I think you probably know this.

IMO we all should be worried a lot more about the antibiotics given to farm animals, most of the time because it seems to fatten them up a little. A stunning 63,000 tonnes of antibiotics is given to farm animals in the USA, per annum. Other reports say that approximately 80% of all antibiotics produced in the USA go to livestock.

Now that really is a worry because they entering the food chain...........

[IMA_FARANG]

I am not a doctor, but I don't believe a cough that lasts 3 weeks is likely to be a cold or the flu....simply because you should be showing a immune response to any virus or bacterial infection that lasts that long by now.

The thing to do however, is to make an appointment with a specialist to have a check of your throat, sinuses, and chest.

Bangkok is a notoriously "Dirty Air" city.... and I expect that is your problem .....some kind of reaction to pollution that your Throat, Sinuses, or Lungs, or such is reacting to and that is producing an irritated cough.

So go to a doctor and get a check-up.

Especially if you do not have a fever....I would guess (in my ignorance) that your problem is not a virus or cold, it is irritation of some kind in your throat or sinuses, started originally by something in your environment causing the problem.

If you had a irritation that caused the problem in your sinuses originally, it may be that continued exposure to that throat or sinus irritation is not allowing your throat or sinuses to heal properly. If that is true, a short course of some kind of soothing lozenges or tea, might give your throat or sinuses the respite it needs to heal itself and recover.

Question: Do you still Have your Tonsils or were they removed when you were a child (it used to be common for doctors to remove Tonsils to treat recurrent throat colds in young children) ?

Edited July 11, 2015 by IMA_FARANG

[mommysboy]

I think where "mommysboy" is coming from is that many doctors will prescribe antibiotics later on in the piece if one has a viral infection, mainly because the initial infection can cause inflammation and irritation of the tissues, leaving it open to a possible bacterial infection. Anyway I think you probably know this.

IMO we all should be worried a lot more about the antibiotics given to farm animals, most of the time because it seems to fatten them up a little. A stunning 63,000 tonnes of antibiotics is given to farm animals in the USA, per annum. Other reports say that approximately 80% of all antibiotics produced in the USA go to livestock.

Now that really is a worry because they entering the food chain...........

Yes this is exactly my point. The genie leapt out the bottle ages ago.

[mommysboy]

after suffering the worst soar throat ever,hospital gave me steriods to open up the passage,after 7days then came the cough now past the 3weeks.

through the day maybe cough 6times,but going to bed or should i say up to watch telly[6pm] i am now convinced its the air con that aggravate the cough till the room reaches the required temp.almost non stop coughing for 2-3hrs.

There is an awful virus doing the rounds. And something that lasts a long time can develop in to bacterial infection. You might go back to the doctor for another consultation.

When your airways or nasal passages are extremely irritated just about anything can cause you to cough, air con, cooking, house dust, things that might not normally effect you.

Other than antibiotics if needed, there is not a lot that can help, other than sleep and relaxation.

i will give it another week and see if it goes,my problem is,i cant take antibiotics as they interfere with my warfarin and i am allergic to penicillin.

I thought Sheryl addressed this issue, and confirmed it was ok to take them (not penicillin).

But I do see your reluctance.

The potentially dangerous thing is the narrowing of your throat passage described earlier. If it flares up again, you could be in big trouble. I really would get down to the local gov hospital and explain the situation if that throat does not clear up very soon.

[mommysboy]

I am not a doctor, but I don't believe a cough that lasts 3 weeks is likely to be a cold or the flu....simply because you should be showing a immune response to any virus or bacterial infection that lasts that long by now.

The thing to do however, is to make an appointment with a specialist to have a check of your throat, sinuses, and chest.

Bangkok is a notoriously "Dirty Air" city.... and I expect that is your problem .....some kind of reaction to pollution that your Throat, Sinuses, or Lungs, or such is reacting to and that is producing an irritated cough.

So go to a doctor and get a check-up.

Especially if you do not have a fever....I would guess (in my ignorance) that your problem is not a virus or cold, it is irritation of some kind in your throat or sinuses, started originally by something in your environment causing the problem.

If you had a irritation that caused the problem in your sinuses originally, it may be that continued exposure to that throat or sinus irritation is not allowing your throat or sinuses to heal properly. If that is true, a short course of some kind of soothing lozenges or tea, might give your throat or sinuses the respite it needs to heal itself and recover.

Question: Do you still Have your Tonsils or were they removed when you were a child (it used to be common for doctors to remove Tonsils to treat recurrent throat colds in young children) ?

Excellent posting, and you have just described my ten years living in Bangkok. I would point out though that it is likely meatboy started with a virus, but is now suffering super infection with a bacteria, or if in a city, then any aggravating factors such as heat effect, or air pollution.

[meatboy]

I am not a doctor, but I don't believe a cough that lasts 3 weeks is likely to be a cold or the flu....simply because you should be showing a immune response to any virus or bacterial infection that lasts that long by now.

The thing to do however, is to make an appointment with a specialist to have a check of your throat, sinuses, and chest.

Bangkok is a notoriously "Dirty Air" city.... and I expect that is your problem .....some kind of reaction to pollution that your Throat, Sinuses, or Lungs, or such is reacting to and that is producing an irritated cough.

So go to a doctor and get a check-up.

Especially if you do not have a fever....I would guess (in my ignorance) that your problem is not a virus or cold, it is irritation of some kind in your throat or sinuses, started originally by something in your environment causing the problem.

If you had a irritation that caused the problem in your sinuses originally, it may be that continued exposure to that throat or sinus irritation is not allowing your throat or sinuses to heal properly. If that is true, a short course of some kind of soothing lozenges or tea, might give your throat or sinuses the respite it needs to heal itself and recover.

Question: Do you still Have your Tonsils or were they removed when you were a child (it used to be common for doctors to remove Tonsils to treat recurrent throat colds in young children) ?

Excellent posting, and you have just described my ten years living in Bangkok. I would point out though that it is likely meatboy started with a virus, but is now suffering super infection with a bacteria, or if in a city, then any aggravating factors such as heat effect, or air pollution.

i am almost certain i caught it from the wife,she went with some guest's of ours to the airport and returned in a mini bus,she thought a few days later she was coming down with a cold so out came the lemsips,which we always have,she did say someone on the bus was coughing.myself i never move from the house only to take my dog out [morning] and immigration.in all my life i have never had a cough like this one take so long to get rid.oh it is the first time to catch anything in thailand.[TRUE] in over 30yrs.

the wife still does not feel 100% but nothing like i got.

[mexxx]

why not allow yourself to be cared for by the "local health agency" then we have tried the best option first.

[Sheryl]

Now I've got it...

[uniquefarang]

Now I've got it...

Sorry to hear that. If it is the same virus, it has been passed around in Thailand for months now, and it hits some of us harder than others. Within the same household, it seems like everyone will come down with symptoms, but one person may have it much worse (like me and meatboy) than other family members. Since I was unable to sleep or lie down at all without fits of coughing, I ended up staying awake all night for two or three weeks. By early morning, maybe 5am or 6am, I was exhausted enough that taking some cough suppressant pills or syrup would help enough to fall asleep for maybe 6 hours.

I hope you have a light case like my husband did!

[Sheryl]

From what I have observed, farang and SE Asian children get it the worst, SE Asian adults likely have some immunity already.

I blame min on my 4 year old "grandaughter" who has had it for almost 2 weeks.

[uniquefarang]

From what I have observed, farang and SE Asian children get it the worst, SE Asian adults likely have some immunity already.

I blame min on my 4 year old "grandaughter" who has had it for almost 2 weeks.

It does not help that viruses are almost universally blamed on “the weather” and therefore virtually no isolation or quarantine measures (like staying home from work or school) are taken

[meatboy]

Now I've got it...

Sorry to hear that. If it is the same virus, it has been passed around in Thailand for months now, and it hits some of us harder than others. Within the same household, it seems like everyone will come down with symptoms, but one person may have it much worse (like me and meatboy) than other family members. Since I was unable to sleep or lie down at all without fits of coughing, I ended up staying awake all night for two or three weeks. By early morning, maybe 5am or 6am, I was exhausted enough that taking some cough suppressant pills or syrup would help enough to fall asleep for maybe 6 hours.

I hope you have a light case like my husband did!

sorry sheryl i just hope you dont get the soar throat like i had and uf.

just a thought has the ministry of health gave any warning about it as surerly the old must be at risk.

the wife has to go and get my medication [3months supply] from the big pharmacy here in korat so she is going to ask if there has been many down with it.

[mommysboy]

My wife and baby came down with a cold over the last few days. On the other hand I didn't. I've been resting up the last few weeks following a brush with the infamous virus. Rest is so important. My mistake was to think I could fight the big one. Exhausting trips to the gym and consequent injuries, lack of sleep, and poor diet sure added to the problems, and for once I didn't take any antibiotics after a few weeks when it was clear my sinuses were infected, learnt my lesson there. I still feel very lacklustre, lacking confidence, it really was a big hit by ordinary standards.

[meatboy]

My wife and baby came down with a cold over the last few days. On the other hand I didn't. I've been resting up the last few weeks following a brush with the infamous virus. Rest is so important. My mistake was to think I could fight the big one. Exhausting trips to the gym and consequent injuries, lack of sleep, and poor diet sure added to the problems, and for once I didn't take any antibiotics after a few weeks when it was clear my sinuses were infected, learnt my lesson there. I still feel very lacklustre, lacking confidence, it really was a big hit by ordinary standards.

i thought doing my bit in the garden and working up a sweat would help but to no avail,but last night i did get the best sleep for weeks,[6cans john keplers]

and yes pharmacy sales of cough medicine is up.

[tifino]

the antibiotics path is only helpful going down, of course not for the flu/virus etc, but for cleaning out the green gunk that's been building up inside the lungs. Once the 3 day flu has gone, the green slime is still there, and posing a longer term threat to one's daily enjoyment of a healthy life.

only last week I finally contracted the flu, via the missus , and I'm on the Dr's list of those that don't have much choice, but to get the Innocs, and be forced onto the antibiotic stream. Being an asthmatic makes mine a lot worse than it need be, and if I don't start the battle against the 'green' quickly, I'll still be gurgling, bubbling and retching for the next 3 months. Last time I even developed a pneumonia and a trip to the ward for a bit.

People make the mistake of trying too much on stopping the 'cough', but it is needed in some way to assist with ridding oneself of the green sludge.

An Expectorant becomes my 2nd best friend at these times...

[xylophone]

I think where "mommysboy" is coming from is that many doctors will prescribe antibiotics later on in the piece if one has a viral infection, mainly because the initial infection can cause inflammation and irritation of the tissues, leaving it open to a possible bacterial infection. Anyway I think you probably know this.

IMO we all should be worried a lot more about the antibiotics given to farm animals, most of the time because it seems to fatten them up a little. A stunning 63,000 tonnes of antibiotics is given to farm animals in the USA, per annum. Other reports say that approximately 80% of all antibiotics produced in the USA go to livestock.

Now that really is a worry because they entering the food chain...........

Slightly off on a tangent, but this article regarding antibiotics given to livestock is frightening............

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/07/15/cafo-system-collapse.aspx?e_cid=20150715Z3_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20150715Z3&et_cid=DM79570&et_rid=1033973157

[steven100]

Go see the doctor ... or go see another doctor.

[uniquefarang]

Slightly off on a tangent, but this article regarding antibiotics given to livestock is frightening............

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/07/15/cafo-system-collapse.aspx?e_cid=20150715Z3_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20150715Z3&et_cid=DM79570&et_rid=1033973157

Following the same tangent, here is a video you can share with any Thai friends regarding the dangers of factory-farmed food and antibiotics:

[MaeJoMTB]

From what I have observed, farang and SE Asian children get it the worst, SE Asian adults likely have some immunity already.

I blame min on my 4 year old "grandaughter" who has had it for almost 2 weeks.

My kid too (nearly 4),

Been in hospital 3 nights with fever, followed by weeks of coughing.

Half the school in MaeJo seem to have it in varying degrees of severity too.