When should you start worrying about your cough - Times of India

Posted: 29 Jul 2020 10:00 PM PDT

Coughing is such a common health concern that most people do not feel the need to visit a doctor. But if it lingers for a long time and is accompanied with any one of the symptoms, then seek medical help immediately.

Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm

Wheezing

Fever

Shortness of breath

Dizziness

Ankle swelling or weight loss

02/5Here is what should do

Sore throat and coughing are quite common during this season. When we are sick or have lung irritation, our body reacts by coughing, which helps to remove mucus, allergens, or pollutants from the air passage. Coughing is a general sign of cold and goes away on its own after a few days. But in the current scenario, when coughing is also an important sign and symptom of coronavirus, it is important to be more careful about your health condition.

03/5How long does regular coughing last?

A prolonged cough or a chronic cough can be a sign of different underlying health conditions, including COVID-19. In general, the coughing gets better on its own after one or two weeks. If it lasts for more than eight weeks in adults or four weeks in children, then it is considered chronic. As per a study, on an average, cough due to illness sticks around for 18 days.

04/5Causes of chronic coughing

Chronic coughing can be due to numerous health-related complications. Here are some common reasons why your cough lingers for weeks.

Respiratory infection: Inflammation of the air passage or irritation in the air passage due to some allergens may be a reason for your cough.

Hyperactive gag reflex and acid reflux: Both these conditions may cause prolonged irritation in your throat and make your condition worse from time to time.

Medications: Be careful about the drugs you are taking on a day to day basis. Blood pressure drugs are one of the common drugs that leads to coughing.

Smoking: Avid smokers generally complain about coughing. This is actually a way through which our body removes chemicals that enter the airways and lungs through nicotine use.

05/5Some home remedies that might help

Most people rely on over-the-counter drugs in case of coughing, but the medicines are ineffective on the underlying disease. So, be careful about your dose. To soothe your throat you can try these home remedies:

Salt-water gargle: Gargling with salt water may help to kill germs and soothe your sore throat.

Honey: Having a teaspoon of honey is also effective on the dry cough. The golden liquid has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, which can help to kill germs.

Take steam: Taking steam can help to provide relief from irritation in your throat.

Living In COVID: Charles Opperman—Love Cures Everything, Engagement Follows ICU Visit - Osprey Observer

Posted: 30 Jul 2020 06:02 AM PDT

Charles Opperman is a director for a software company and he lives on the outskirts of Brandon. When Hillsborough County started to open back up after shutting down from the pandemic, Opperman, like most of us, wanted to venture out and get back to normal.

"My girlfriend and I had been virtual dating from our homes since the pandemic hit and we both wanted to see each other in person," Opperman said.

On June 13, the couple decided to do some shopping together because Opperman's girlfriend, Shirley Rosevelt-Garcia, needed some new paddle fans.

"We wore masks and social distanced," Opperman said. "Since we had a good day shopping, we decided to go to brunch."

The couple went to a restaurant in South Tampa. When they arrived, no one in the restaurant was wearing masks and the restaurant was more than 50 percent full.

"We were able to get a table that was six feet away from other people and we had our masks on," Opperman said.

By Wednesday evening of June 17, Opperman started running a temperature. When he awoke on Thursday, his temperature had risen, so he called his doctor. They had a virtual doctor's visit and Opperman's doctor suggested he go and have a COVID-19 test done.

"As I waited for my results, more symptoms started showing," Opperman said. "I felt fatigued and my muscles and joints ached."

On June 22, Opperman still hadn't received his test results. He drove himself to a mobile testing site and while waiting in the car line, his doctor finally called him to confirm he was COVID-19 positive.

"He told me to go home, self-quarantine, stay hydrated and rest," Opperman said. "I did this, but on Thursday, June 25, I started coughing up mucus mixed with blood."

Opperman went to an urgent care facility and was given a chest X-ray. It showed his lungs were filling up with fluid. He was told he needed to go to the hospital.

"When I woke up Friday morning, I was getting worse, so I went to the hospital," Opperman said. "Since I didn't arrive at the hospital via an ambulance, I was told I had to wait in my car until they were ready for me."

He ended up waiting in his car for over an hour before he was able to go into the ER to be admitted.

Opperman's health continued to decline. He was moved to ICU and was being prepped for a ventilator.

"I asked for my cell phone and I quickly texted my girlfriend and told her that once I survived this and I got better, I was going to marry her," Opperman said. "I then texted my girlfriend's daughter and asked her for her permission to marry her mom. She said yes. When I get better and things are back to normal, we are going to have a really big engagement celebration."

Opperman came home from the hospital on July 6 and is getting better everyday.

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