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Dealing with a Persistent Cough: Why Rest is Essential


Today, I had to do something I rarely do: call in sick to work. It wasn’t an easy decision, but with a cough that I simply couldn’t control and the accompanying chest and throat pain, I knew it was the right call. Yet, as I explained this to my manager over the phone, I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt—the kind that gnaws at you, making you wonder if you sound sick enough or if you’ve let your team down.

Let me back up a bit. This cough didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s the kind of dry, strained coughing that leaves your throat raw and your chest aching. It’s relentless, making it hard to focus, let alone work in a busy environment. Despite my tendency to push through, I realized that going in would not only hinder my recovery but also risk spreading the bug to my colleagues. No one needs their day disrupted by a lingering cough.

Still, calling in sick never feels good. I’m someone who doesn’t take a day off unless it’s absolutely necessary. Maybe it’s because I value reliability or because I don’t want to burden others. But there’s also the underlying worry: What if they don’t believe me? What if they think I’m just skiving off?

Over the phone, I kept it simple: “I have a cough I can’t control, so I’m taking the day off sick to get it under control.” It was the truth. I couldn’t have been productive, and honestly, showing up in that state wouldn’t have been fair to anyone. Yet, even after hanging up, I kept replaying the conversation in my head, wondering if I could have said it differently or more convincingly.

Here’s what I’ve realized in the hours since: guilt doesn’t speed up recovery, and it doesn’t change the fact that I’m unwell. Whether or not my manager or colleagues were thrilled with my absence, I had to prioritize my health. And if you’re in a similar position, you should too.

To help get through this cough, I’ve been focusing on rest and hydration. I’ve dug out a multivitamin drink from the cupboard, reheated some homemade lasagne I’d frozen earlier, and even treated myself to a cool dandelion and burdock drink from the fridge. These small comforts, along with a warm shower once I sorted out a boiler glitch, have helped me feel a little more human. It’s not a magic fix, but it’s a step in the right direction.

If there’s a takeaway from today, it’s this: your health comes first. Whether it’s a cough, a cold, or something more serious, giving your body the time and care it needs to recover is not only the right choice but also the responsible one. Work will carry on, and you’ll be back at it soon enough—hopefully stronger and healthier.



So, to anyone out there struggling with the same guilt I felt: let it go. You’re not letting anyone down by taking care of yourself. In fact, you’re ensuring you can give your best when you’re ready to return. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to sip more dandelion and burdock and hope for a quieter night of less coughing.

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