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Hi, I've Been Having An Ongoing Cough For Weeks I
Question: Hi, I've been having an ongoing cough for weeks I was told when I called the covid Hotline that it sounded bad and I should not be going to work. I've gotten tested for covid and came up negative. But the cough wouldn't go away I talked to another doctor online (no documentation unfortunately) who said that it seems my sinus infection turned into a respiratory infection from the mucus and bacteria build up. So I stayed home. After some time it still hasn't eased up. Finally a couple days ago I realized I'm not longer coughing up infection but I'm still having coughing frenzies so I was prescribed benzonatate to help calm them. It is helping a lot and I had planned to return to work tomorrow. But now my work is saying I should have been back as it is not COVID related. All I was told is that if you are sick you stay home that's it. Now even upon hearing me my boss said I couldn't work like this as I'm still coughing. But I have no documentation or anything aside from my teladoc prescription to show I was talking to a professional. The Hotline doesn't keep documentation and I have no documentation about the online visit. What do I do?
Brief Answer:
A symptomatic patient should self-quarantine for 14 days
Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to the 'Ask a Doctor' service.
I am Dr. Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.
As per clinical guidelines, as you were having a cough so you were absolutely right in getting confined to home.
A symptomatic patient with fever, cough, coryza, or breathlessness should be quarantined in this globally evolving COVID scenario.
This was what the COVID helpline advised you.
As far as your COVID test is concerned, a single negative test is not of much significance.
As per CDC guidelines, two PCR tests spaced at least by a period of 24 or 48 hours should be negative to label a person as COVID negative with absolute sensitivity and specificity.
You can rejoin your job once your second COVID test is negative or your symptoms improve and a period of 14 days of illness is over (Incubation period of Corona is 14 days)
As far as your cough is concerned, take steam inhalation, have cough lozenges, and plentiful hot fluids orally.
You can also take antihistamines like Levocetirizine 5mg at night time.
Further, be well hydrated, have a fiber-rich nourishing diet, practice hand hygiene, use tissues while coughing and dispose of them properly, destress yourself, and don't be sleep deprived.
Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards
A symptomatic patient should self-quarantine for 14 days
Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to the 'Ask a Doctor' service.
I am Dr. Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.
As per clinical guidelines, as you were having a cough so you were absolutely right in getting confined to home.
A symptomatic patient with fever, cough, coryza, or breathlessness should be quarantined in this globally evolving COVID scenario.
This was what the COVID helpline advised you.
As far as your COVID test is concerned, a single negative test is not of much significance.
As per CDC guidelines, two PCR tests spaced at least by a period of 24 or 48 hours should be negative to label a person as COVID negative with absolute sensitivity and specificity.
You can rejoin your job once your second COVID test is negative or your symptoms improve and a period of 14 days of illness is over (Incubation period of Corona is 14 days)
As far as your cough is concerned, take steam inhalation, have cough lozenges, and plentiful hot fluids orally.
You can also take antihistamines like Levocetirizine 5mg at night time.
Further, be well hydrated, have a fiber-rich nourishing diet, practice hand hygiene, use tissues while coughing and dispose of them properly, destress yourself, and don't be sleep deprived.
Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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