The everlasting cold/cough virus

A couple of years ago I had chest infections, cough, general washed out feeling for months off and on. Since then I have done my best to keep fit with gym and swimming plus lots of walking in the fresh air. I haven't really been ill since (though that's no help to you at the moment I'm afraid).

However I have also noticed that since I have had to take a daily antibiotic for frontal fibrosing alopoecia this also corresponds with my illness free period. It hasn't stopped the hair loss at all but a few signs of impending cold or a sore throat have all been nipped in the bud. I know doctors seem to infer that antibiotics do not help colds but I am wondering.

Hope you soon recover and meanwhile the usual advice, lots of fluids, rest, warmth, maybe honey and lemon (or something stronger!)

I have, over the past three months, along with the blasted cough had 3 bladder infections, gastro enteritis and sinusitis.

When I talked to the gp last week Re the latest bladder infection he said that loads of people have had the same experience. I came down with a flu type thing on Christmas Eve despite having had the jab.

I'm feeling loads better today and am thinking about taking a tonic to try to build myself up

Cold type bugs seem to particularly persistent this year. Most of my family seem to have succumbed and we're spread around the country. I've had an explosive cold which although relatively short lived has left me with a hideous cold sore out break, it's not pretty!
As has been said lots of fluids to drink, and honey and lemon in hot water is soothing. Steam inhalations with Olbas Oil if you're feeling your sinuses are congested. Hope you feel better soon

Sounds awful. Look after yourselves everybody. Fingers crossed it'll clear up in the new year.

Ive got, no I have a virus, Im on my own and on day ten and just want to crawl in a hole and die! started off as vomiting then the runs, continual headache that wont shift, I do have an irritating dry cough and slight cold symptoms, theres not one part of my body that doesnt hurt! My mouth is full of sores and Ive the biggest cold sore on my lip youve ever seen!! I did ring my doctor before xmas and was told paracetamol and plenty of fluids and let it run its course!!! Its a bloody long course!!!!

I'm on common cold virus number sixteen since late summer. Occasionally I get a CC-free day between viruses but quite often they overlap. I can tell from symptoms when a new one appears 'on the back of' an old one. Mostly, they last about a week. I wouldn't call any of them serious but the fact that they are nonstop is somewhat energy draining. Roll on summer when all I have to deal with is hay fever and midge/tick bites ?

Apparently having ME (even mildly) and fibromyalgia may be playing a role.

I had that heavy cold I think the queen has. Started 10 days ago with mild symptoms then on day three rather than easing off actually got worse. Headache, sore throat, hot n cold sweats and tired but unable to sleep. Been left with a hacking cough that keeps me awake. My sister 200 miles away has similar symptoms so I think it's a virus that swept throughout the country. It's that time of year.......When you least need a cold.

Yes, there a really nasty cold doing the rounds. I started a thread about it a few weeks ago when I felt like death warmed over. Never had a cold like it, even when teaching when you're exposed to every virus going.

I've on the mend at long last but the OP wanted to know what could help. I found three things. Drink plenty of fluids to help loosed mucus/catarrh and use steam. I bought a steamer in the end which I left on beside the bed for a week when this were at their worse. If you can't get one then use a kettle ...but just waft the steam towards you ...don't inhale very hot steam. Have a hot shower and/or use the old towel over head inhale steam technique. And finally the only bought product that helped was sucking Potters Chesty Cough Pastilles (Boots)

I wish you well Nvella

7 days in and I'm fervently hoping it's not going to hang around for weeks to come ?
Completely bypassed Christmas Day, Boxing Day's heading the same way. I've coughed so much my eyes are bloodshot and my ribs ache.

Yes, I'm definitely miserable!

I have had throat infection and sore swolllen glands - for once it only lasted 4 days. My mum (87) has had the terrible cough and cold thing and 2 courses of antibiotics and now steroids. It lasted 3 weeks acute and cough lingering into week 6. Can't believe I didn't catch it as bad from being with her ! There's a horrible D&V bug going round too, only consolation with that would be some weight loss? We find Olbas Oil is great for breathing in to help the congestion and 'stufffed up' feeling.

loopy the aching ribs I remember. Hurt so much to cough.

Also had horrendous phleghmy cough.cold symptoms.hot/cold tired aches/pains for weeks now.....in fact from about 4 days after first (and LAST!!!!) flu jab!!! I NEVER normally get colds coughs etc...driving me nuts?. But still had nice Christmas...wont let it beat me?

I had it as a pretty normal cold but DH has been ill for about four weeks now. He's on his second batch of antibiotics plus anti vomiting meds. He managed to see the GP on 21st December and was told that if he isn't better after the weekend he must go back on the first day the surgery reopens.

Thanks for all your advice. I am still hacking away and having spent Christmas with two snotty grandchildren I have a horrible feeling another virus may be about to piggyback on my existing one. You are right about the ribs - they are really aching!

Yes, a few weeks now, worse overnight, and during the day the coughs take me by surprise, such as putting a spoonful of soup into my mouth!

oh you poor people you all sound like you are really suffering and it is all the harder to bear at this time of year. My daughter tends to catch one cold after another and was so fed up of always feeling unwell, her GP finally sent her for a blood test to see if she was lacking in something or had an underlying infection. It turned out she was Vitamin D deficient and low in iron. Now on tablets for both of these issues so we are hoping it may help resolve the problem.
Maybe once feeling better, a course of multi vitamins may help boost you for the coming winter months. Get well soon everyone.

I had vitamins coming out my ears but it didn't stop this one.

I've had my cough for 16 months now! Had xrays, allergy tests, inhalers, respiratory tests, pill and potions and nothing works and nothing causing it. I haven't had a full night's sleep since it started and needless to say I'm getting a bit fed up with it, only time it went away was when I was in hospital for an op and the cough took about a week to come back fully after I got back from hospital. Driving is a chore, a pack of Fisherman's Friends is open constantly on the passenger seat for emergencies.
If anyone has any other remedies (I'm sick to death of FFs) I'd be grateful.
P>S> I've had tickly cough, chesty cough, dry cough and mucus cough medicine, herbal medicines, home made remedies that I've searched the internet for and every cough sweet I've ever seen in the shops!

I've been ill for three weeks, totally missed Xmas and ,I expect, NYE. I'm just coming to the end of a course of antibiotics which cured my sore throat but nothing else. I have a temperature every morning and by bedtime it's over 101 even if I spend the day in bed. Most days I read and doze. I haven't been ill like this since the late 1980's when I had pleurisy. I'm going back to the doctor tomorrow.
I don't know what I've got but it's affecting the whole family as a lot of people rely on me. Commiserations to everyone who has been ill over Xmas and I wish you well.

Please, please all if your colds/viruses don't clear up or worsen call your GP. My dear Mum passed away on Christmas Eve after a GP at her surgery (she'd never seen him before) told her on the 19th to take a break from sinutabs then start them again. Dad found her in her chair on Christmas eve morning when he got up. She was only 73 and refused to call the doctor out on the 23rd. How I wish we'd all overruled her, it might have been so different.

So sorry to hear this boo2410 what a horrible shock for the family. Condolences A sad Christmas for you all.

Isn't there a clue there missdeke ? Something in your house setting off your cough perhaps? Might be worth getting some antihistamines and if you get the ones that make you drowsy and take one at night it might help you sleep too.

Worth a try???

The cold virus doing the rounds is terrible, just goes on and on. Might I suggest that we all keep a small bottle of antiseptic hand rub in our pockets and use it every time we enter a supermarket BEFORE we touch the trolley handle. I also keep one in the car for general use.

I started end of Nov then it seemed to go away came back middle of Dec still ongoing
Ribs aching throat very sore now we all sound we have same virus my mum would have said its not cold enough to kill bugs !