Coughing it up in the waiting room

My waiting room, not necessarily a pleasant place to sit through the cold and flu season. Two things to consider before you join the hackers and wheezers out front:

1. This from the latest issue of the NEJM:

Cough after acute bronchitis typically persists for 10 to 20 days but occasionally may last for 4 or more weeks.

If you're no longer feeling ill but still coughing, join the crowd. Especially in Denver's dry, dusty, cold winter air, coughs go on and on and on.

2. If you need a prompt appointment, consider Thursdays. For some reason, this is a quieter day at the office, and you may be less likely to share air space with someone who's got an illness that you don't want.