[confused101]

Hello all!
My unit has this cold thing that starts out as a upper respiratory thing then it lands in your lungs with think yellow sputum. I'm talking chunky. My whole unit has got it and this is the 2nd day I have called off. I didn't call off for a year until the last 2 days. How long does it hang on and does anyone else where have this nastiness? I work on a surgical unit, so I didn't want to go in and give these people my cold and end up with pneumonia. You know? Anything will help!

[BlueRidgeHomeRN]

I'm pretty sure the name for this is "allergies"!!

[confused101]

Allergies? Are you kidding me? Fever, cough, thick sputum and all most everyone on my unit has it. Thank you, but no thank you for the "allergies" advice.

[sirI]

Sounds like you need to see your healthcare provider if the s/s persist. May not be a common cold. Of course, we cannot provide medical advice, only support.

Hope you feel better soon.

[BlueRidgeHomeRN]

Originally Posted by confused101

Allergies? Are you kidding me? Fever, cough, thick sputum and all most everyone on my unit has it. Thank you, but no thank you for the "allergies" advice.

Be fair--you DID NOT mention fever!

Yes, I've seen "sick buildings" with mold and/or chemicals cause these s/s in an entire unit. The key was that family members never "caught" the "bug".

Glad to know you wanted input and suggestions!

[confused101]

I know this board can not offer advice. My nursing unit that I work on as an RN has had many staff members have this virus. I was wondering if it is crossing state lines and things. Sometimes these illnesses crop up in other places. I was just curious.

[britney_RN]

Originally Posted by BlueRidgeHomeRN

I'm pretty sure the name for this is "allergies"!!

The OP said yellow sputum. Sounds like infection, not allergies. Confused.....Do you smoke? I recently had a bout of bronchitis like stuff.....it didn't really go down into my lungs. Since I quit smoking, I don't get sick in my lungs really bad like I use to. There is something going around. I've been sick 3 times this year.....and I wash my hands all the time. So I don't know.....it's just going around,

I hope you feel better soon. But to answer your question.....give it about 3 days, you should be fine. Y

[britney_RN]

I meant to say I was better in 3 days....not that you should be better. I'm not giving medical advice, just saying that I was feeling better after 3 days.

[shorehamlpn]

I've had something or other simular to what you are describing, along with a dry hacking cough...especially at night, or when my throat gets dry. I've been fighting it for about 2 weeks,and still not much improvement. I sure hope I soon improve...as well as everyone else who is suffering.....hope we're all better soon.

[StrwbryblndRN]

I got it hear in central VA. Not exactly the same but started out as a 3 day sore throat last Friday turned congested and now I got this annoying hacking productive cough. I would love to call it allergies but just not the same.
I go into work tomorrow (Friday) If it is still present I may not go in. (It is bad enough)
The flavor of this cough is getting nasty. Many pt lately have had pnuemonia, last thing I want to do is give them a virus on top of it.