Your history sounds like mine, now 74, but even as a runner I had bouts of cold that moved into bronchitis and a cough that lasted until Spring. I am not anxious to be exposed to the new virus.
I usually did not go on antibiotics until after two weeks of the cold and cough. That has changed with a new pulmonary doctor who has me maintain a supply of antibiotics at home for the next cold. His advice, some people should start antibiotics at the first sign, because for them giving the bacteria a few weeks head start is a mistake. He was right, the last bout ended quickly as I interrupted the usual cycle. You might try this too.
Thanks. That is very interesting g and kudos to your doc for doing that. Like you, I’ve heard for years that bronchitis is viral and antibiotics do no good. Then some opportunistic bacterial infection moves in and I get the antibiotics. By then, as you point out, it’s an uphill battle against both virus and bacteria.
I’ll keep that in mind for next time.
I’m doing a LOT more hand washing this season (starting last fall), avoiding crowds more, working hard to not touch my face, using paper towels to touch door handles when leaving the gym, etc. seems to be helping so far this season.
I think winter ‘18-‘19 may have been bad for me because I moved to a cold climate for the first time in about 45 years. My body didn’t know how to handle this thing called “winter.” I just got back to 75 degree California on Monday. I seem to have my “snowbird” routine backwards!