I have had a cold for a week.

[smirkymonkey]

At least it's not the flu, but it's still a drag. A lot of upper respiratory problems, sore throat, feeling run-down and achy, etc.

I went to work all week but am wfh today and taking this afternoon off. Just using some Vicks Vapo Rub, Benadryl to dry up my head, Elderberry and BlackCurrant tabs for immunity, Ibuprofen and the amazing "Stop Pain" roll on for the pain. Also, some lovely white rose tea and lots of water.

I did get the flu shot, but it doesn't prevent one from catching a cold. Is anyone else going through this? We have a lot of people at work out sick and talking to friends and family it seems to be pretty widespread throughout the country.

[elleng]

1. If you've really had a 'cold,' for a week or more,

you may have something else.

Check for ear infection, and other things.

[smirkymonkey]

4. My ears feel fine.

But it seems like a lot of people around me are sick - my brother had it for 8 days and his wife for 2 weeks and they are usually very healthy. People have been out at work because of it. It seems a little early in the season for such a serious cold. Usually we don't see this until Jan or Feb.

[elleng]

6. Be well!

Glad I'm retired and mostly home alone, so not subject to catching stuff from people, but next week that changes, with traveling to see family!

[smirkymonkey]

10. Thanks elleng!

I think I caught this from a family friend of my sister's at thanksgiving. She was very sick and probably should not have been there, but I can understand that she would not have wanted to spend the holiday apart from her family and ours.

It took a few days for me to come down with it - just in time for the work week - so that has been a little tough, just getting through the workday when I would rather be home in bed w/ tea and a hot compress, but at least I was able to wfh today to take care of myself, which is nice.

Be careful in your travels! From what I hear, this is going on all over the country. Take elderberry and black currant for immune support, lots of vitamin C and stay hydrated and well rested. Good luck!

[DFW]

2. Lots of that going around here, too

Even my wife, who rarely gets these things (she saves it for big stuff like cancer), has had it for 5 days now.

[smirkymonkey]

5. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope your wife feels better soon.

I know so many people who never get sick who have come down with this. It just seems so widespread. At least it doesn't seem to be the flu, thank god, but it is still annoying and debilitating.

[DFW]

12. It's the debilitating part that worries me

She may be retired, but she's still the eternal social worker.

She is driving up to visit her mom tomorrow (2.5 hour drive). Her mom lives in one of those "you-can't-get-there-from-here" towns in northern Germany, near Cloppenburg and the Dutch border. She will drive back down Sunday, go to the theater with a friend, and then drive down to Frankfurt Monday to baby-sit our granddaughter, whose nanny is sick (maybe with the same thing). Her resistance will be down to zero, and she will be putting in more miles than a truck driver, as well as more hours than en emergency room surgeon.

This is the way she is, and it is no use to try to talk her out of it, but I hope she can save herself while she is busy saving the world.

[livetohike]

3. Going on nearly three weeks for me. My doctor tested for

Lyme disease and the results were negative. I was at Urgent Care and they sent me to the ER. Chest X-rays negative for pneumonia and cultures negative for Type A and Type B flu. I’ve never been this sick ( fever 104 that wouldn’t come down and hives. That’s what sent me to the ER. I didn’t know what it was 🙁. Still run down.

[smirkymonkey]

7. I'm so sorry to hear that livetohike!

It sounds like something much worse than a cold. More like a bad flu, but it looks like you tested negative for that as well. It's concerning that they can't figure out what it is.

I hope you stay in close contact with your doctor and insist on more examinations. Your symptoms sound very serious and if I were you I would be very aggressive about treatment. Especially if your fever remains that high.

That is dangerous so please promise us that you will annoy them as much as possible. Do NOT let them send you home with such serious symptoms. I wish you all the best. Please check back in to let us know how you are doing!

[livetohike]

16. Thanks smirkeymonkey. I will check back in. Hope

you feel better soon.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

8. Bummer! My wife is flying back from Hawaii today, with a cold she got there. Talk about sucking!

[smirkymonkey]

11. Flying when sick is the worst, with the pressure in your ears.

I hope she has a decent trip and that it's not too painful. She will be happy to be home, so be extra nice to her!

[Floyd R. Turbo]

17. Okay!

[Mersky]

9. Try getting some extra zinc?

I like to add fresh or lightly sautéed garlic to soup, broth, or miso to get easy extra zinc in my diet when I’m sick with upper respiratory junk. Is good for healing nasal passages and throat. I also throw loose leaf spinach into nearly everything, whether I’m sick or not - is an easy play to get extra nutrition (vitamin A, K, and iron) when I don’t much care to fuss with making an extra vegetable dish.

Also, might call and ask to talk to your doctor’s nurse. You’ll have to leave a message, but I’ve found callbacks from nurses helpful over the years. Might be able to tell you about what’s going around in your area, and help discern whether you should see a doctor or recommend other treatments.

Otherwise, sorry you’re feeling like crud and hope you feel better, sooon.

[smirkymonkey]

15. Thank you for your suggestions!

I love soup when I am sick and I am a big fan of garlic when ill as well. I sometimes just chop up cloves and swallow it with juice.

If I don't feel better by Monday, I will go to our worksite health clinic and if they think it is serious they will send me to my doctor or another available physician. My doctors are great, but very busy, however they also have some great NP's and I trust them completely. Thank you again for your wonderful advice!

[Mersky]

20. You're welcome!

I also will just wholesale down fresh garlic by any means when I’m sick. Love the stuff, but figured others reading in might not be prepared for the zing.

Take care and I hope that some extra rest over the weekend does the trick - want you to be well!

[Ohiogal]

13. Being sick with a cold SUCKS!

I’ve never gotten completely over a cold in under 10 days. I don’t get one every year, thank goodness, but when I get one, it knocks me flat! Sounds like you’re doing everything you can possibly do to make it go away.

Hope you feel better soon, smirkymonkey!

Has anyone here ever used Zicam and did it help? I’m wondering if I should get some to keep on hand for the rest of the cold season.

[smirkymonkey]

18. Thank you Ohiogal!

It's just a drag. I am somewhat functional, but very sub-par. I just want to be in bed w/ vicks vapo-rub and cold meds and watching a movie.

I thought Zicam was for the flu, but I'm not sure. A cold is different and I am not sure that Zicam would work for this, but if anyone has any advice, I would be happy to hear it.

Stay healthy Ohiogal

[Skittles]

24. same

I don't get sick very often but when it happens, it just SLAMS me - a cold lasts about 10 days. The one time I took Zicam it did seem to lessen my symptoms, but it's hard to keep on hand if you don't get sick often (expiration date).

[LeftInTX]

14. I got sick two weeks ago.

My ears still clog from time to time. Everyone was sick around here.

[smirkymonkey]

21. Sorry to hear that LeftinTX.

I hope it wasn't too uncomfortable for you. The problem in this country is that most workplaces do not understand that when you are sick, it is not for a day. It's more like a week, but god forbid you call in sick for a week.

So I was in sick all week and probably exposed other people to my illness as well. I had been in the office all week with all my work colleagues. However, if I had taken more days off, I would have looked bad.

I am lucky in that we are allowed to wfh a day or two a week depending upon weather, what is going on in the office, health issues, etc., but anything more than a day or two makes one look suspicious. Therefore, I went in sick from Mon - Thurs and just hope that I didn't infect anyone. My manager kind of prides himself on never getting sick, so he doesn't have a lot of compassion for people who do get sick.

[Wawannabe]

19. Yep

This is day 4 for me. Moving to my chest...cough, cough! Ugh!

Grapefruit each morning. Decaf tea. H2O. Apple Cider Vinegar. I think those things are shortening the time but will be in my chest for a week plus probably! Double ugh!

[smirkymonkey]

23. Yep, started in my throat and head and then moved to my chest.

I like using Vicks Vapo Rub and a hot cloth compress on my chest to loosen things up. I don't really like to take prescrption or OTC medicine unless I have to, so I find external methods to be very helpful. And they work very well! I like the Vapo-Rub w/ Lavender on my chest and neck, it's very soothing.

I also get sinus headaches which causes pain all around my head and neck and I use this roller-ball "cold and hot" roll on from CVS (there are other name brands if you don't have a CVS) and it is amazing for pain. The roller ball is key because you don't have to touch the solution and risk getting it in your eyes.

Your suggestions sound great. I pretty much do all those things except for the grapefruit since I am never hungry in the morning, but I should probably force myself to eat whether I want to or not.

[lunasun]

22. I rarely get cold/flu sick but I'm sick with something now. Fatigue bad throat head but no fever

Let’s get better soon!
(location :Chicago, Il x no travel in the last 2 weeks so picked up local )
Elderberry zinc coldeez silver a cold remedy tea airborne Advil h20
Some turkey soup is here if I can get up .....🤕😷🤧😵😴 I am so tired
I have 3 tickets to a cinema satellite screen of NYMets Magic Flute Julie traymore production tomorrow at noon and unlikely I will see it . Last few offerings in past years of this production when beamed in to Chi , I was busy or it was sold out, now after many years of missing it I got the tics but sick ....bummer
I just told my 2 friends enjoy because if I feel the same I won’t make it even though it’s just getting on the El and sitting in the dark at a comfy theatre but my head hurts and I can’t even get off the couch for the damn soup!!🙁

[smirkymonkey]

26. Feel better lunasun!

I know how it feels. I think we have the same thing. It's awful, isn't it? I can't wait to feel better again. There is nothing like feeling ill to make you appreciate how much you cherish your health once it comes back.

[Phentex]

25. I teach 2 year olds and wipe noses all morning...

I don't want to jinx myself but I haven't gotten sick yet. We try to teach them to cover their mouths when they cough but they are 2. Last year at this time, I was sick as a dog and couldn't get any rest. For me, sleep is the best medicine.

I work an office job too and no one there has gotten sick yet. I fear for January!

Hope you feel better soon!

[smirkymonkey]

27. Thank you Phentex!

I agree with you on sleep is the best medicine, which is why I have made no plans for this weekend. I think if I can just sleep after working all week I can beat this. It must be hard being around young children all the time since they catch everything that comes down the pike. Stay healthy!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

28. You went to work all week?

How truly thoughtful of you to share your cold with workmates.

[smirkymonkey]

31. I don't know if you have ever worked in the corporate world, but banging in sick is

frowned upon even if you are actually sick. There were a number of us sick this week who were in because we were very busy with work and our boss would have not have been happy if we had refused to show up, despite our health situation.

I took today off because it was all I could handle this week but there was no way I could have taken the entire week off without being seen as a malingerer.

You just don't do that in a corporate setting, no matter how sick you are. It is the surest way to being fired or demoted.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

34. Here's the thing.

If you don't actually stay home when you are sick you are accomplishing at least two things.

One is spreading the disease. Great job!

The other is enabling the workplace to make working sick the norm. And fuck them thinking you're malingering.

A bit of an aside. Every year here there are discussions about getting the flu vaccines. Because I choose not to get it (and I haven't had flu in well over 40 years at this point) I'm frequently accused of being an asymptomatic spreader of flu. For which there is zero evidence whatsoever. Meanwhile, those who go to work sick are somehow seen as brave and somehow flying above it all, because after all, the corporate environment.

If you had a job with no sick days, I'd have a lot more sympathy. But going to work sick when you actually have sick leave? Well, all I can say is thank you very much.

This is why we need strong unions.

I have worked in the corporate world, but back then if you were sick it was okay to stay home.

[smirkymonkey]

35. Sorry, but the corporate workplace does not look well upon people who don't come

into the office, despite their health condition. They may say they do, but they don't. I don't want to spread germs and I am careful about using hand sanitizer and avoiding coughing on anything public, but try explaining to my boss that I am not coming in because I am ill.

He would not have it because he is never sick and doesn't think anyone else should be either. He always brags about how he has only taken two sick days in 25 years. He thinks if you are sick, you are weak and pathetic. It really bothers me because when people are sick, it's usually for a week or so. But most people only call in for a day.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

38. Chances are he's come to work sick.

Okay, so maybe I'm wrong, and maybe he never is sick (I'm very much the same way myself) but if he thinks sick employees showing up and merrily spreading germs, bacteria, and viruses, is a good thing, then maybe it's time to have a talk with HR.

Alternatively, can you go in and hang out over his desk and cough and sneeze and blow your nose (very sloppily) over him?

As I said above, I'm one of those very annoying people who pretty much never gets sick. Although in my younger years I got my share of colds and the odd non-cold viral illness. I had a job where if I didn't show up, someone else was going to be called in on their day off to cover me, and I (like most of my fellow employees) didn't really like to do that.

The main consolation I will offer is that your immune system will thank you, because you are challenging it in the ways it's supposed to be challenged and in the long run will be the better off. Meanwhile, sympathy to you and I sincerely hope you are better soon.

[smirkymonkey]

39. Thanks Poindexter!

I get where you are coming from and I honestly believe that sick people should stay home, but on the other hand I know what is good for me from an employment perspective. I really wish we had a more European attitude toward illness. When they are ill, it is assumed that they will be out for a week and nobody blinks an eye.

I appreciate your thoughtful concern and I know that this is a touchy situation. I think staying home today was a wise move and I hope that I will recover over the weekend.

[Fla Dem]

29. Sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather.

Last edited Fri Dec 6, 2019, 09:33 PM - Edit history (1)

Hope you get over your cold soon. Best thing is to get as much sleep as possible so your body can fight the damn thing.

[smirkymonkey]

32. Thanks Fla Dem!

I appreciate it! I am going to spend the weekend resting up. We have our holiday party on Monday, so I hope to be in decent shape by then.

[MLAA]

30. Smirkymonkey

I love that Stop Pain roll on! I think it’s name use to be Stop Pain Dead....but must have decided having the word Dead in their name wasn’t very comforting 😬

[smirkymonkey]

33. That stuff is amazing, isn't it?

I just ordered some more from Amazon. I always used Salon Pas patches, but they don't cover all the territory and they changed the formula so that they don't stick very well anymore. This roll on stuff is incredible. It really does stop pain and the roller ball is the best. No messy clean up on the hands.

[MLAA]

37. I sometimes get arthritis pain in my ankles due to lots of orthopedic surgeries as a kid

I keep one on my nightstand and just roll it over them, especially before bed when the dull aching keeps me awake. My dad told me about it years ago and he raved. I didn’t get around to trying it until a year or so ago. Dad was sure right!

[NightWatcher]

36. Day 7 here too. Felt great during the day and even slept great last night

Then today at 4 it kicked my ass again.

My whole fam had this and I got it last. They got better in 7 days too after having that last final push from the cold.

This sux.

I hope we all get better soon. Feel better DU.

[smirkymonkey]

40. Sorry to hear that NightWatcher.

I know how you feel. It seems to linger and pull punches when you least expect it. It will be such a relief when it is finally over. I hope you and your family feel better soon!

[LuckyCharms]

41. I'm sorry you are not feeling well, and

I hope you feel better soon.

I also got the flu shot. I've had a nagging chest cough for a week. I don't really feel sick from it...it's just annoying.

Also, I was trying to get a big home project done today, and I suddenly got hit hard with some terrible stomach thing. After about the 15th trip to the bathroom, I seriously considered going to the ER, because I was worried about severe dehydration. I took my temperature twice, and it was 95.x. I don't know why so low.

I think the runs have finally stopped, and I'm trying to re-hydrate myself.

Feel better.

[smirkymonkey]

42. Sorry to hear that Lucky Charms.

Unfortunately the flu shot does not immunize us from the common cold and other ailments. I definitely feel for you because I know how awful you must feel and you must stay hydrated. Definitely see a doctor or go to the ER if it gets any worse. You don't want to take any chances with something like that.

Hope you feel better soon!

[LuckyCharms]

43. Thanks, smirkymonkey

[LuckyCharms]

45. Welp...

Going to the ER as soon as my phone charges.

[smirkymonkey]

47. Oh no! Please let us know how you are doing!

This sounds serious. I am very worried about you. Please let us know how you are as soon as you can. I wish you all the best.

[LuckyCharms]

48. Thank you. No worries...

I usually don't like to complain about myself on here, but I guess I am tonight.

[Zorro]

44. Same here

Felt like a cold coming on, but still went in for the senior super flu inoculation and my followup shingles shot.

Ended up running a fever for four days, and just now (1 1/2 weeks later) getting over the cold.

So I'm there with ya.

[smirkymonkey]

46. Sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well.

I also have a follow up shingles shot in a few weeks on 12/16. Did it hurt? Anyway, I hope you feel better soon. This is no picnic. It's quite a drag.

[UniteFightBack]

49. I'm sorry to hear you can't call out sick when you are actually sick. That would never happen

where I work.

[smirkymonkey]

50. I could, theoretically, but it would not be looked well upon.

If I was seriously down with the flu, I would definitely call in sick, but for a cold I don't feel like it is serious enough to bang in for. I kind of feel like I have to be careful about what I consider serious enough to miss work for. My manager is forgiving, but not that forgiving. As I have said earlier, he has worked at the company for 26 years and has only taken 2 sick days so he is not the most sympathetic person in the world. He expects you to show up unless you are at death's door.

[UniteFightBack]

59. I understand because I've worked at places like that before! It really sucks! When I got this job

it was so weird how you are encouraged to take your sick days - it's frowned upon to NOT take them! They also have very generous vacation and we get thrown comp days right and left. I always remind my co workers what it is like in the rest of corporate America.

I will say after 9/11 (I worked in NYC) my boss wanted me to come in the next day! I was only there a couple of months so I just could not say no. I went into the city on 9/12!!! It was awful and a fucking waste...but I understand how you feel obligated...and how they make you feel obligated.

[smirkymonkey]

60. Vacation days are fine, but if you are out sick for more than a day or two, unless you

are in the hospital, it definitely looks bad. But who is sick for just a day? Most of us are down for at least a week, so that means we have to go to work sick and put our co-workers at risk of illness as well. I am lucky that I can wfh occasionally, but I have to be judicious with that as well.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

61. I once got fired from a job because I was sick for two days.

It was a shitty job, but still.

[pbmus]

51. Sounds like flu...sorry you're sick😖

Image result for flu symptoms
Flu Symptoms

fever* or feeling feverish/chills.
cough.
sore throat.
runny or stuffy nose.
muscle or body aches.
headaches.
fatigue (tiredness)
some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

[smirkymonkey]

52. Maybe it is, but I had the flu shot, so maybe it's a low-grade flu.

I have pretty much all those symptoms w/ the exception of the GI ones and the fever, I think. I haven't thought to take my temp. But everything else is there. Thank you for your concern, I appreciate it!

[pbmus]

53. When I got my shot this year, Dr. told me they are running at 50% effective...

In other words, a fifty fifty shot...

[smirkymonkey]

54. Well, I suppose it could be worse.

[Guilded Lilly]

55. You definitely are among broad company in the "under the weather" crowd...

It is pervasive in the Columbus, Ohio region!
I actually caught my bug in ST Pete Fl. But about almost half of my immediate co-workers are fighting off some form of the annoying afflictions.
Hang tough!
White light.
Lot’s of clear liquids...sleep...self pampering.
(And good OTC pharmaceuticals!)

[smirkymonkey]

57. It seems a little early in the season for this.

Thank you for your well wishes! I am using lots of Vicks and some OTC meds to stay comfortable.

[rownesheck]

56. Upper respiratory

viral infection. Nothing you can do about it. It must run it's course. A doctor prescribed me a 3 dose regimen of steroids. It jump started my path to feeling better, but I'm still dealing with coughing and sinus junk. Been 2 weeks. Bleh.

[smirkymonkey]

58. Ugh! 2 weeks! What a drag!

I really hope it doesn't last that long, but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I hope you feel better soon!

[Leith]

62. It's quite the season, isn't it?

I get a cold maybe once every 3 years and I haven't had the flu in decades, but since early fall, I have had the flu and I'm on my second cold. These things settle in my sinuses and drain down my throat, so I sound horrible - and the misery is quite literally in my face.

Ugh!

Somehow, my husband has caught none of them. Dunno how he does it.

Good luck to everyone.

[smirkymonkey]

66. Thanks Leith!

This is kind of unusual for me as well, but it seems as though almost everyone I know is ill right now. Hope you feel better soon!

[Leith]

67. Thanks

Nyquil and long hot showers seems to work best for me.

[smirkymonkey]

69. I have some of these great Vicks vapor shower tabs which I am planning on

using in my shower today. I just haven't had the energy to get out of bed yet, but thank you for the suggestion!

[Brother Buzz]

63. All colds last a week

If you medicate for them, they only last seven days

[Niagara]

64. Sorry to hear that you're under the weather, SM

Besides zinc, extra vitamin C helps also. It doesn't prevent a cold, but is does reduce the duration of a cold.

I see that you're drinking plenty of fluids, which is good. Don't forget to rest when you can. Even colds beat us to a pulp where we feel mentally and physically tired.

I hope that you recover soon!

[smirkymonkey]

65. Thanks Niagara!

I am now in the phase where I am coughing non-stop. It's so annoying. It definitely makes you appreciate your health once you regain it! Thank you for your suggestions and well wishes!

[Niagara]

68. You're very welcome

Hang in there. I'm sending more speedy recovery vibes for this morning.

[smirkymonkey]

70. Thank you!

I have just been coughing non-stop all morning and haven't had the energy to get out of bed yet, but once I do i will take a shower w/ some Vicks Vapo rub tabs for the shower and have some soup.

[3catwoman3]

71. Colds can easily last 10-14 days.

Sometimes up to 3 weeks.

Don’t waste money on antihistamines when you have a cold. Antihistamines (Benadryl/Claritin/Zyrtec/Allegra) stop our cells from releasing a chemical called histamine when we are exposed to whatever our allergic triggers are. Although the symptoms of colds and allergies are practically identical in terms of the nasal congestion, cough etc, there is no histamine release going on when you have a cold.

A decongestant, such as Sudafed, will constrict the capillaries in the mucous membranes of the nose, opening up the nasal passages and decreasing the amount of mucous production. Decongestants can keep you awake at night.

The person examining someone with nasal congestion should be able to tell allergy from cold because the color of the nasal membrane varies depending on cause of symptoms. Healthy nose - pink membrane (like inside the cheek). Cold or sinus - inflamed, reddened membrane, sometimes flamingos so. Allergic membranes look pale and washed out - blue, gray, lavender or white.

A allergic person with a cold will have inflamed looking membranes, because the redness overrides the pale look.

There have been some reports of loss of sense of smell with zinc nasal sprays.

[smirkymonkey]

72. Oh no, don't tell me that.

I appreciate your kind concern, but I do not want this to linger for any longer than it has. I really don't want this to last for another week.

I do not like to use drugs like Sudafed because they make me feel racy and anxious. Antihistamines like Benadryl at least dry up my head and allows me to sleep. I'm sure it's not the best cure, but it makes me feel more comfortable.

[3catwoman3]

73. Not all colds last that long.

My main point was symptoms lasting more than a week would not necessarily mean you have something else that could be more dire, so no need to panic if symptoms are lingering, especially if you don’t develop a fever or have new/worse symptoms. Fever at the beginning of an illness is usually the immune system recognizing it has a job to do. Fever after several days of symptoms is more likely to be a secondary bacterial infection.

Sudafed doesn’t make me anxious but it does keep me awake. I choose to take it anyway, with the rationale that I am going to be awake and miserable if I don’t take it, so if I do, at least I will be more comfortable while I am awake.

I’m a nurse practitioner in a pediatric office, so catching colds is unavoidable, and I always feel abjectly miserable for several days. Even tho we know that they are not dangerous or fatal, colds completely suck.

I’m glad you have a combo that helps you out.

[smirkymonkey]

74. Thank you for explaining that.

Much appreciated!

[3catwoman3]

75. My main professional mission in life is making sure...

...people have a good knowledge base about their health, and dispelling unnecessary worry.

[smirkymonkey]

76. Right now I am wondering if I should go into work tomorrow.

I am still coughing like mad, but not sure if I am still contagious. I feel awful and that should be enough, but I feel guilty about banging in sick if I am functional.

[3catwoman3]

77. Illnesses are often at their peak of contagion 24-48 hours before...

...one even has symptoms. If you have been sick for over a week, and have not had a fever in the past couple of days, you are likely past the most contagious time frame.

If you have the paid sick days, take them! It's really hard to work when you feel crappy. I have been with my practice for 23 years. I work 2 days a week, so I get 2 paid sick days per year, total - pretty stingy, especially given the constant exposure that comes with the territory in a job like mine.

I hope you feel better soon.