Humidifier to ease Coronavirus cough?

Chestnut, steam is no longer recommended for croup (makes me wonder why I used to sit in the shower room for all those hours with a small child). My grandson was prescribed steroids for it.

As I have allergic asthma, I do know that nasty feeling of shortness of breath. It feels as if you can't breathe in enough air - but in fact it's a case of not breathing out with enough effort.

Concentrating on breathing/blowing out as much as possible really helps. Moving slowly and keeping calm reduces oxygen needs, as well.

humidity will ease dry coughing but it will not reduce the viral load. You can get humidity by using hot water in a bowl with a towel over the head and a grain of menthol will help reduce swelling in the nostrils, on a temprary basis.

Mr C is a school governor fatgran, it has been agreed that the school will stay open over Easter. Worth checking if it’s the same for your grandchildren. I understand the worry about food retail workers. It feels hugely risky doesn’t it? Your message is very reassuring dragonfly, I hope you both improve very soon.

You can't get diagnosed by humans in the UK unless you're very ill or part of the establishment. It's done through the NHS website. It asks you a series of questions and tells you if it thinks you have CV. We're assuming this is CV because the website says so and also neither of us have ever felt this way before. The cough is totally non productive. My chest feels like there is pressure on it but the cough doesn't do anything to help it. DH never gets sore throats yet now has one. Working on the law of averages I'd say we've go CV but we won't know for definite until an antibody test is available.

vampirequeen how were you and your OH diagnosed? Were you at the doctor or hospital?

I wonder how HurdyGurdy's friend can be diagnosed or anyone else for that matter.

Both my daughters work at the supermarket, both have young children, and they are very worried indeed.

One of them has kept the children home from school but the other family has to send their little ones to school and day care as we are not allowed to look after them.

School does finish this week until at least after Easter, but who minds the children?

vampirequeen Thank you for letting us know how your experience with this virus is going and for the helpful advice of trying not to think about the worst case scenario. I wish you and your DH a continued smooth recovery.

Your friend should dial 999 if she's that bad. It's the advice given on the NHS website.

Try not to worry too much about your son. DH and I both have CV atm. Like most people who will get it, we've got mild cases. DH is using an anaesthetic throat spray. I'm not taking anything as I don't have the sore throat and I can cope with my cough/chest. We're both taking paracetamol for the aches and pains though. It seems to have affected our long bones (a bit like flu does). We're sleeping a lot more. Again, like the flu, you feel tired for no reason.

It's a worrying time and I understand your fears but try not to think about the worst case scenario for your son. If/when he gets it the chances are he'll get it like DH and me.

I'm sure someone that had had the virus recommended Vicks vapour rub and/or Tiger Balm. The Tiger Balm bit stuck in my mind because I do actually have some in my medicine cupboard. And I know it sounds daft but perhaps the vapour rub on the soles of the feet might help.

Doctor Xand van Tulleken was talking on a TV programme about self isolating and said cough medicine won't help but recommended honey and lemon drink. No mention of a humidifier. You may be thinking of croup where the air should be moist. It wouldn't hurt to put a wet towel on the radiator if the air in your home is very dry.

I am shocked that they won't help your friend HurdyGurdy. I think if you feel you need admitting then they should attend to you. How can they really tell how bad you are and what if you deteriorate?

I doubt whether a humidifier would help at all. I think it would be a placebo, better have a bottle of coughmmedicine for a dry cough.

I had a bout of dry coughing one night in bed, my throat was very dry. I spoonful of cough medecine and it disappeared.