DS has tested positive to whooping cough. Even though my swab was negative, the nurse says she's 99 percent sure it was a false negative given my symptoms. I have a vicious cough and feel like crap!!!
We're both taking antibiotics but I need some ideas for natural/herbal remedies to help with the vicious coughing. I'm also being pressured to return to work regardless of my health as they're short staffed. I'm really bothered by this but financially I need to be fit to work asap.
I havent had experience with whooping cough thankfully, the only thing I can think of that may help is a vaporiser & vicks baby balsam. I use both for coughs in winter, put some drops in the vaporiser, the steam seems to help (doc sometimes recommends to put bub/kids in shower for steam for coughs/runny noses), I put the vicks everywhere!! on chest, back & soles of feet....the feet thing is kinda wives tale but I do it anyway! As for work your instincts will tell you whats right for you & your DS, don't feel pressured though, do what you feel is right for you.
Feet with vicks us awesome! cuts our viral cough time down by 50%!
I've had whopping cough and it sucks.antibiotic was a huge help, slept for about a week was out of action for about a month. I hope its kinder to you.
Call in all the help you can get and rest.
Hugs
I'd test again if the nurse thinks its a false negative (might have been too early in germ cycle)
Whooping cough is extremely contagious, so if you do have it, you and your co-workers would probably be better if you stayed home.
Regarding the cough: vaporizer, Vicks, eucalyptus oil in burner all can help with breathing. My mum used to give us a 1-2-3 mix (used for croup as well)
3 parts water, 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part methylated spirits. (I used a 1/2 cup measure I think to get a good amount.) It stinks - which I think may be part of the 'cure'! We soak teatowels and put it around the kids' throats like a scarf till they calm down and breathe more normally.
A good friend got this during her first pregnancy. I think she initially had a couple of weeks off, tried to come back but still felt terrible so had another two weeks off then the school hols (we are teachers) before coming back the next term. I guess my point is it might not be practical to go back to work too soon.
I really do not feel fit to work. The boss wants me back Monday because the other lady in my dept is taking holidays and I'll be the only one there. they expect me to do her work and mine and frankly don't give a damn if I'm ill. I think they're underestimating how Serious whooping cough is. I'm really angry at them for relying so heavily on me despite the fact I'm pregnant and very sick.
they know how infectious it is so if they want to be asses then as far as I'm concerned I hope they get it. maybe then they'd understand it's more than just a cough.
In 2 weeks when my coworker comes back I'm going to cut my hours in half - or potentially take mat leave early depending on how I feel.
Just get a doc certificate. As far as I'm aware, you legally can't work if you have a doc certificate. If you were injured at work you wouldn't be covered insurance wise if you weren't supposed to be there.
A girl I worked with had whooping cough and she was off sick for 6 weeks - even when she came back she wasn't well and had to do half days for a fortnight.
Def go back to your GP and get retested and get a sick note.
I wish it was that simple. I don't get paid for time off so I'm really stuck no matter what I do. they would make the rest of my time there a living he'll if I 'let them down'. they just have no understanding that we have no support around us so if DS is sick, it doesn't matter if the joint is on fire, I can't be there. I'm expected to put my family last. honestly they just don't get it. Drs cert or not- they treat me like a flaky teenager who calls in sick all the time.
I don't know if I'll go back after mat leave. I'm tired of being forced to make decisions about whether I take care of myself and children or bow to their pressure.
Some workplaces really are horrid. Sorry you are going through this. You really can't go back to work, it's not safe for the other staff. Its a reportable disease, one that the federal govt considers serious enough that they track all incidences of it. Your boss may be at risk of legal action by other staff if he forced you back to work.
I know how hard it is though - my family are 3000km away so we have no support at all here. Illness is definitely the time when it strikes me how hard it is. Good luck
Help! Whooping cough
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they would make the rest of my time there a living he'll if I 'let them down'. they just have no understanding that we have no support around us so if DS is sick, it doesn't matter if the joint is on fire, I can't be there. I'm expected to put my family last. honestly they just don't get it. Drs cert or not- they treat me like a flaky teenager who calls in sick all the time.
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