marvelousmouse

I hope he feels better soon. I do understand your concern- my cough was frightening sounding, but more that that, it's a really awful feeling when you are coughing so hard it's a struggle to breath. Unfortunately, I don't think there's a quick cure. I was on some pretty powerful cough suppressants but it didn't really go away until a particurily hot summer

Dayenu

"The cruise ships and discoveralaska.biz won't tell us anything to let us know what we "picked up.""

Of course they won't tell! They are TRAVEL professionals, not MEDICAL professionals.

Check travel websites, including Cruise Critic, for reviews of your cruise, in case somebody else had the same disease. Other than that, try to see a different doctor and/or specialist.

Gretchen

Maybe you have whooping cough? Maybe it is a virus since antibiotics don't help. See another doctor--the cruise ship may be entirely incidental.
Anecdotal "evidence" from other passengers NOT on that ship is not helpful, IMO.

nytraveler

Well last spring I finally went to my MD to get some codeine cough syrup so I could at least sleep at night and she said there was a months long cough going around (apparently linked to a viral bronchitis, so antibiotics do noting) and she had one elderly patient they had to hospitalize because he developed bacterial pneumonia as a complication.

Once I started taking the codeine cough syrup (only at night, during the day it just made me sleepy and dizzy) that cut back on a lot of the night cough and allowed some healing of my throat and daytime coughs started getting better too. (Or else the cough was just running it's course.)

Ackislander

I would push your health care provider, but I would do it gently. S/he is doing the best s/he can.

If you are still unsatisfied with your diagnosis, ask for a referral to an infectious disease specialist at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. They are very, very good.

The timeline is important. I am not a medical doctor, but you can certainly do a web search or ask your doctor how much time passes between exposure to infectious agents and disease symptoms. That could help determine where he was infected: on your trip to Vancouver, in Vancouver, or on the ship, and it could certainly explain their conservative treatment.

Finally, frustrated as you no doubt are, remember that correlation does not equal causation, particularly in health issues.

NewbE

Guys, the OP said he's doing much better and that his lung specialist does not see the need for more medication. He responded to the antibiotics. He's fine. Not getting worse.

Gretchen

Well, it is hard to discern he is getting better by the length of posts the OP continues.
And what she considers "offensive".

Macross

Living on the space coast we had one launch that they kindly told everyone in the parking lot to wash their vehicles when they went home.. nothing about maybe if you were outside and watching and breathing the air. Anyhow there were a few that got lung infections and it took forever to get over. Ignore the snark, this is fodors. A cruise Critic forum might help you or I can ask my relatives that live in Juneau if there was anything going on. Were there any forest fires going on while there?

Tabernash2

This may or may not apply, but I am always dealing with a cough. My throat gets irritated easily, and anytime I get near a virus, it gives me a bad cough. So much, that I can't sleep at night.

The only product that works for me is Delsym. I like their liquid cough medicine at night. And their lozenges are handy to keep in your purse.

NewbE

Gretchen, agreed.

tomfuller

To those of you who have a persistent cough, at least ask your health care provider about exposure to molds.
My friend Jason is a real expert. http://www.1800gotmold.com/mold-fact...alth-risks.php

Underhill

If the cough is really severe, ask your doctor about codeine cough syrup. That's the only thing that worked for me.

jetset1

I know that the birch pollen index set a world record in Alaska in June 2016,...

This has been a long summer of sinus and allergy issues, due in part to a very mild winter, followed by an earlier than normal spring.

Funny, I had just sort of gotten it under control, when I went to San Diego, and had to buy Claritin, due to my eyes and nose running constantly, lol.

I don't have advice, but as an Ak. resident, I hope your health improves soon.

DOH984

I just wanted to say I think you all are wonderful and so thoughtful. You have given us so much to go on. I really appreciate all your input and concern. We are going to follow-up on your advice tips and ideas. I REALLY appreciate everyone who has written in to try to help us out. I think you are wonderful, caring people. I never dreamed that we would get this kind of response. Thanks again!

nanabee

This may sound weird but believe it or not I had coughing (runny noise, red, raw, scratchy, irritated throat), which would eventually lead to a bacterial/viral infection.

I was always told it was
1. A bacteria infection and given antibiotics,
2. A virus and told to take two aspirin and wait it out.
3. Sinus infection
4. Allergies

After many years dealing with this I found out it was from eating and drinking foods that caused acid reflux heartburn. The acid comes up and into the nose cavity then because of the strong acid component it burns and irritates the nasal cavity as it drains back down the throat. Over a week or more eventually the conditions are ripe for virus/bacteria to grow and take over.

If nothing else works and this persists I would make an appointment with an ENT doctor.

nanabee

Ear, Nose, Throat doctor (you already know that but just clarifying

ilovemydogs

I know it's been a year since you posted this but I just returned from my Alaskan trip and I have been so sick. All the same symptoms that you have described. Feel like I am going to cough up my lungs. What did your husband ever find out about his illness?

suze

ilovemydogs, I see you are brand new to Fodor's. This person has not participated on the forum since this one post a year ago. So I doubt that they will see your question at this time. suze

miczei

Hello,
I just returned from Alaska on July 16 , 2017 and my husband and I and two others we traveled with have the exact same thing as previously described. Does anyone have any updated info about this illness?

miczei

I should add it was a cruise on Princess that originated in Vancouver and ended in Whittier. Our Vancouver tours were filled with people who had just disembarked from Alaska.