Common cold advice?

Posted by lvnl @lvnl, Mar 13 4:03pm

Hello all, I have come down with a common cold. What do you all do to prevent exacerbations if you get a cold? I have mild bronchiectasis & MAC, am being treated with Azithromycin, ethambutol & either Arikayce (inhaled) or placebo, in a study. I had bronchitis 2-3 winters in a row, several years ago, before I was being seriously followed or advised to do anything for the bronchiectasis. Never made the connection. I don't want an exacerbation obviously, if I can help it. So is there anything besides fluids, rest, etc? BTW I was swabbed & the bug is one of the common corona viruses (not COVID 19, flu or rsv).

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pacathy | @pacathy | Mar 14 6:29am

Are you doing airway clearance? You could consider adding an extra session/day.

I’m prone to sinus infections and I increase sinus rinses with the NeilMed squeezie because it can be sterilized. A regular NeilMed bottles would be fine if used very short term and cleaned after use. I also use Afrin on worst days, but only for 1-2 days to avoid rebound.
Good luck! Hope it’s a short one.

lvnl | @lvnl | Mar 14 7:29am

Thank you @pacathy! Yes, my regular airway clearance is 7% saline nebulizing + smartvest 2x/day. I'll add another session. I have so little energy, I hope it's short too.

clk1958 | @clk1958 | Mar 15 4:14pm

I too was wondering about handling a cold with my Mac/bronciectasis. I’m on day 14 with an extremely lose cough with a lot of phlem with it. I haven’t coughed any blood for a few months now but have been the last few days. I have been doing a controlled or huff cough each day, now not sure if I just damaged airways or bleeding coming from the lungs.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 15 10:48pm

In reply to @clk1958 "I too was wondering about handling a cold with my Mac/bronciectasis. I’m on day 14 with..." + (show)

At this point, it may be time to contact your doc for an antibiotic? Your cough should be improving, and the presence of blood suggests maybe you have a secondary infection.