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Hello, My Question Is About The Dry Cough Symptom Of

Posted on Wed, 29 Apr 2020

Question: Hello, my question is about the dry cough symptom of the Coronavirus. I have anxiety so i usually “cough” to clear my throat. It’s a nervous “tick” of mine. I usually let out just one hard cough to almost “clear” my throat even though it’s not blocked. I’ve been doing this for about a month and more so now because my anxiety is higher. As of lately my chest is almost burning a little which I think is just sore from constantly “clearing my chest”. With that being said, is this cause for concern? I don’t actually cough except for a little bit first thing in the morning, which is a deep dry cough, but that happens 3 or 4 times before it goes away and I start my day. Why worries us my my chest being sore. Again I have no symptoms and haven’t been around anyone who has tested positive nor have I been out in public about 5 different places in the last couple weeks. I’ve been extremely diligent about washing my hands for 30 seconds and hand sanitizing anytime I touch something that’s not in my house. Is there a concern? Or when would I know if my dry cough would be something to worry about? Thank you so much for your help. Also I live with my wife and she is perfectly healthy other than some allergies.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You should be worried if you have fever and a continuous cough

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in Ask the Doctor

I can understand your concern

As you explain the history of the cough yes I agree that mostly this might be a tick cough or another cause of this kind of cough is the allergic dry cough.

Regarding the COVID 19 cough, it is a continuous mostly dry cough associated with fever and breathlessness .Also the general situation of the patient is not good ,I mean with malaise , muscles pain and general discomfort .

In my opinion this is not your case. In my opinion the allergies should be excluded. For this you can take antihistamines such as : Cetirizin tablet once for some days. If the cough and chest soring disappears or improves than it is from allergic cause.

You should start to be worried about your cough if it is all over the day and even the night or if you have fever or general malaise . Than theorically the first step would be to call your doctor and he or she will order a chest X ray.

However as you explain you are following strictly the rules regarding Corona virus so you should not be worried about.
Stay safe

Hope to have been helpful

Regards

Dr.Jolanda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (52 minutes later)

Thank you so much for this information. It has helped put my mind to ease and has allowed me to go back to my day to day activities. As you have stated, people with COVID would have a fever, aches and pains and other physical issues. I have never had a fever, I’ve been going on 3mile walks a day without any issues physically. Again, thank you so much for giving me more details on what a serious dry cough would sound and feel like. Everywhere I looked it just says “dry cough” and of course this makes my mind race. So thank you for all your help and I hope you stay safe and thank you again for taking the time to give me some more symptoms and issues to look out for so that I can tell myself that I’m just anxious.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Continue discussion

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

You are most welcome in future

Thank you

Dr.Jolanda

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee