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[varghese]

I had to go to the Hospital Emergency yesterday. It was midnight, the cough was nearly killing me. I have been on and off playing with the cough for some weeks. It is hard to play when you are sick - it kills a lot of your energy.

It is sure, if I wait for the cough to go away, it would be few weeks or months before I can completely recover. What should I do?

[ejunkie]

I have seen a lot of kids getting the cough for a long time. I know that the normal flu and cold should last just two week to a month max. How long have you got the flu? I have seen kids have it for over two months already. I suspect it's allergy. In that case it should not affect playing unless you cough during play.

[rokphish]

I think cough will distract quite a bit when playing...

[varghese]

The cough did not stop yesterday, so I had to go to Emergency yesterday again. They took some X-Rays of my chest and fortunately I don't have pneumonia. They have given me some anti-biotic and expectorant. The cough is still there, and I have body pain too.

The situation I'm in now, I won't be able to play for another few days. Here is what I think about this situation. The lungs and the respiratory system primarily bring stamina while playing. If they have an infection, I don't have enough energy to keep going. Secondly, when I cough I feel I'm getting tired, so lack of energy stops me from playing and getting focus.

If I was little prudent, I should have gone to the doctor a while back and took some anti-biotic. This would have given me an opportunity to recover from this a long time ago.

[varghese]

I have seen a lot of kids getting the cough for a long time. I know that the normal flu and cold should last just two week to a month max. How long have you got the flu? I have seen kids have it for over two months already. I suspect it's allergy. In that case it should not affect playing unless you cough during play.

Yes, it is some kind of allergy. The main problem here is the inversion. There is a knowledge base article on Wikipedia on Inversion here. The dirty air wont escape easily because of the mountains surrounded by our city. You will feel real suffocation when the inversion is very high. You can see a dirty cloud on top of our head. The residents are asked not to expose themselves to outside of their home on those occasions. I can say this inversion can kill someone.

Secondly, the atmosphere is very dry. The nose, throat and respiratory system all get dry fast, and that lead to dry cough very fast. I did not have flu this year, and had this dry cough.

[ejunkie]

Well, I learn something new everyday. Inversion is something we have to worry about here in CA so it's good to know. About the dryness you can get a portable room humidifier and that should ease your problem while you are indoor.

[varghese]

After few days of rest, I'm back on my feet now. I hate taking anti-biotic, but I did not have a choice. There are so many people who are sick around me, so it is everwhere.

The humidifier will really help. I occasionally use it. The downside is that you have to have the AC on to keep a cool temperature. There are two type of humidifiers - one which can spray water, the other one is to use with medicated oil like VICKS. When I was a child, and had flu, I used to use humidifier and allow the vapor to pass through the nose.

If I had a choice to have a permanent humidifier to set up with the home like heater, I would do that. There are some homes here which have built-in humidifier.

Also in dry places, we have to drink a lot of water to have our respiratory system always with moisture. When the respiratory system gets dry, that generates dry cough. I have had all these cough problem after moving to Utah.

[729 fx]

My advice is do not play if you are feeling unwell. It will saps your energy to counter whatever illness affecting you and you will feel tired every time you play TT.

In fact I sprain my lower back 2 days ago in training (matchplay condition) for an inter-club friendly tomorrow evening and has been laying off TT the last 2 days. At least now I feel that I should be able to play in single and mixed doubles for tomorrow matches. I think that if I insist to train with my fellow club members yesterday, I could have aggravated my injury more.

[ejunkie]

I usually keep playing on days that I get slightly sick. I have no problem playing with flu or cold because I don't mind playing not being in the best of condition, just like if you get sick you still have to work. LOL.

[729 fx]

I usually keep playing on days that I get slightly sick. I have no problem playing with flu or cold because I don't mind playing not being in the best of condition, just like if you get sick you still have to work. LOL.

Yes, if little sick can still play. But if you are down heavily with flu/fever/cough, I normally rest to get my energy back.