Bronchitis, what would you do?

[Jimmy9190]

I have been sick since this past Sunday. It started out with a chronic cough on Saturday, I thought it was from pollen since I was in my garage most of the day then I was outside washing my truck that afternoon. Cough got worse on Sunday and I had body aches and chills like a bad cold or maybe the flu. I stayed home from work Monday and Tuesday. Tried to go back to work yesterday even though I still did not feel much better. I ended up leaving at 10:00 and went to my doctor yesterday afternoon. Doc says I have acute bronchitis, caused by a virus. Doc gave me a nebulizer with albuterol treatment, kind of reminded me of a fuel induction system cleaning as I was sitting there breathing it in..

Doc put me on a 5 day Medrol methylprednisone dose pack and said I should feel better by tomorrow. He wrote me an excuse to stay home today and tomorrow, go back to work on Monday. Between the nebulizer and Medrol dose I took yesterday I am feeling much better today, other than being tired because the steroid interrupted my sleep last night. The cough is nearly gone and my throat is no longer sore. I have no more body aches or chills. I will finish the pills but am thinking of going back to work tomorrow. It would save me a sick day plus we have some big wheels coming for a visit and I feel I should be there.

What would you do? Stay home like the doc says even if you feel fine or go in to work?

 

[NMBurb02]

Take it easy today and play it by ear tomorrow. Can you take a 1/2 sick day tomorrow in order to be there when you most need/want to be or would you have to take the full day?

 

[Stewart Fan]

Call the Dr. and ask if you're still contagious. If you are,its extremely rude IMO to go back to work.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Stewart Fan
Call the Dr. and ask if you're still contagious. If you are,its extremely rude IMO to go back to work.


OR go back and infect all of the big wigs....it's all a matter of perspective.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: Stewart Fan
Call the Dr. and ask if you're still contagious. If you are,its extremely rude IMO to go back to work.


OR go back and infect all of the big wigs....it's all a matter of perspective.

Exactly. On a more serious note I'd listen to the Dr. I'm pretty sure Bronchitis can swing into Pneumonia and you'll really be screwed.

 

[dparm]

I don't think many people on here are doctors, and no one here has evaluated your condition in-person. Call your doctor -- it's his job.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: dparm
I don't think many people on here are doctors, and no one here has evaluated your condition in-person. Call your doctor -- it's his job.

While you're at it, ask the good Doc if synthetic is needed when most conventional 5w-xx oils have group II+ or higher base stocks.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
...

Exactly. On a more serious note I'd listen to the Dr. I'm pretty sure Bronchitis can swing into Pneumonia and you'll really be screwed.


It can and often does. When that happens you are out of the picture for quite a bit longer. IMO, relax till Monday.*









* I am not a doctor, I just play one on TV.
(Not really, but I have had bronchitis and then pneumonia when I didn't take it easy long enough.)

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: dparm
I don't think many people on here are doctors, and no one here has evaluated your condition in-person. Call your doctor -- it's his job.


This. I know I hate when people who are sick come into work. That's why we have sick days and a liberal work from home policy (I love working in IT).

 

[Jimmy9190]

Thanks for the advice. I realize it's not a good idea to ask medical advice in a motor oil forum...I really just was asking opinions more than anything else. Doc already told me I should be fine by Friday. I know that bronchitis can last about a week or maybe longer so I will probably just stay home tomorrow too. I am certain I picked it up at work anyway and do not want to give it to anyone else. It is hard to stay home when I am used to going to work every day and I feel much better now than I did yesterday.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: dparm
I don't think many people on here are doctors, and no one here has evaluated your condition in-person. Call your doctor -- it's his job.


This. I know I hate when people who are sick come into work. That's why we have sick days and a liberal work from home policy (I love working in IT).


I forget if I even have sick days--I just take 'em, and tell my coworkers to do so too, regardless of policy.

That said, how much is a doc's visit? I just switched to one of those high deductible plans, and basically am planning on only going if on death's door from now on; but to be honest, I haven't priced out what a simple "what plague do I have now" visit would cost.

 

[JamesBond]

You should quit being a baby and go to work.

Don't even tell people that you were sick, it makes you look weak.

When you make others at work sick be sure to point out how superior your immune system is compared to theirs.

 

[Smokescreen]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
On a more serious note I'd listen to the Dr. I'm pretty sure Bronchitis can swing into Pneumonia and you'll really be screwed.

I have had this happen to me....



Bronchitis...." ain't nobody got time for that ! "

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: JamesBond
You should quit being a baby and go to work.

Don't even tell people that you were sick, it makes you look weak.

When you make others at work sick be sure to point out how superior your immune system is compared to theirs.


Easy for you to say sitting there.

Your health is your greatest asset. I'd protect it at all costs. I'm sick with a cold right now. Take care of yourself Jimmy.

 

[GreeCguy]

Stay home, drink hot tea, snuggle up under your favorite blankie and watch back to back "Mad Max," "Road Warrior," "Two Lane Blacktop," "There Will be Blood," and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."

Feel better

 

[Pop_Rivit]

As an employer I prefer that you stay at home and get healthy before returning to work. That's why I provide you with sick days.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Thanks for the support here. Yes I am staying home again tomorrow. I could still be contagious through Saturday or Sunday and will just do what the doc says and get some more rest. I don't know how much more daytime TV I can stand but I did record "Christine" and will watch it again tomorrow. It's hard to sit around resting and napping when I know I have things to get done around the house, but I keep telling myself it can wait.

 

[Shannow]

As a manager, I've come to realise that at least with my Company, you cannot come to work when you have a medical certificate that says that you are "unfit" for duties...