Does This Cough Make Me Sound Unprofessional?
Even before the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I found hacking up a lung an effective way to clear a room.
My inner circle is well acquainted with my cough by now. Recently when video-calling a close friend, I had to stop for a coughing fit mid-sentence. I apologized for my abrupt pause, to which she responded that she thought nothing of it. It is refreshing when you do not have to explain yourself.
Experiencing insecurity
Though I have been living with asthma, and bad lungs for a while now, I still get insecure. It is not ideal to be coughing up a storm, especially when you are on a first date, in an interview, or in any other situation trying to "impress" someone. We are naturally programmed to be wary of people who are symptomatic, regardless of their underlying reason. This is a nice way for our body to protect us from microbial invaders. It still does not make me feel better to announce my presence with a cough.
I spend a lot of time in science and healthcare. As a pre-medical student, the majority of these experiences revolve around "impressing" others, from the physician you shadow to the Principal Investigator you research for. Conveying yourself professionally is essential for letters of recommendation or receiving an invitation to other experiences. Even though most of my encounters have been in the pulmonary space, I have yet to become fully confident in my lung sounds.
How I manage my asthma cough and people's potential concerns
I recently traveled with my research lab to a regional conference. I was recovering from a seemingly bi-monthly lung infection, and thus was traveling a little heavier in the treatment department. Alongside our posters to present was my overstuffed suitcase of medications and my nebulizer hanging in tow. Thankfully there was plenty of room for all of us and our belongings to travel comfortably, but my insecurities were also traveling with us.
Thanks to my preparation and making my lungs a top priority, I was able to manage without too many noticeable symptoms. Nonetheless, it seemed like every time I coughed, a whole wave of pulmonary physicians and researchers went into curiosity mode.
Little by little, I am starting to feel more comfortable going about my life with not-so-discrete symptoms. Sometimes it looks like wearing a mask when I shadow to alleviate any additional concerns physicians and patients might have. Sometimes it looks like pre-treating with albuterol before I have to put my professional face on...but that has its own downsides (which is a story for another day). Sometimes it looks like being brave and owning up to it.
"If you hear me cough, I can assure you I'm not contagious. I have a lung disease."
Respect for all
Ultimately, it boils down to mutual respect. I respect the individuals I am working with enough that I do not want them to be concerned they are going to catch a respiratory bug by spending time with me. I respect the physicians I shadow and the patients I interact with enough to go out of my way to ensure I am only a "shadow," even if it means using my voice ahead of time. Hopefully, my professionalism shows in other ways that the same respect I extend, I can also receive.
Join the conversation