[JenAjd]

Well, it seems I have a choice -- cough my back out or get a reaction to Claritin. Took the recommendations and got some Claritin. After an hour, the coughing stopped. YEAH!!!! In another hour, I was in bed with mild chills and every joint hurting. Hmmm -- flu maybe, not allergy? Never heard of a flu or cold starting with a cough, but what do I know? Okay, fix some soup, put on warm jammies, try to sleep. Another two hours or so and the coughing starts again. Take another pill. Twenty minutes later back to the chills and body aches. Oh, crud! I'm sensitive to the meds (nothing new there -- I'm allergic to most medications).

So, no to the honey (bee allergy), no to Claritin or Actifed or Benedryl for that matter and most defnitely NO to going to a doc for a shot. Guess I'll have to suffer through it. Thanks for the advice, everyone. (Sorry, but no way I am using a neti pot -- looked it up and it just looked gross.)

This is a response to "Red's" post......

You may very well have the virus that's going around. I have/had it and it began first (for me) with profuse sneezing and my head felt "funny"...then the cough began. I too thought "allergies"....but after the cough got worse and I felt "blah". Slight head-ache, very tired, no energy and no appetite..and eventually a horrid cough. I went to urgent-care where they said it was "THE VIRUS". I also had bronchitis and a sinus infection. I'm now in week three. Slight cough, still the energy hasn't quite come back. Been told this thing hangs on for a long time! Don't know what "long time" means. Each person is different I guess! Hoping you feel better! Rest, drink LOTS of fluids and see your doctor if you get worse.