now I am worried about the coronavirus, i wasnt worried before

[EnidBlyton]

but dd, in university, has a sore throat and a temperature she tells me
i guess i should tell her to be aware of worsening symptoms?

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Unless she has been in contact with someone who has been in infected regions in China in the last two weeks she won't have coronavirus.

She might have flu, or tonsillitis or any number of other infections that students pick up. I know a couple of people with flu at present.

I hope she feels better soon.

[EnidBlyton]

thank you.

[BrutusMcDogface]

Are there any Chinese students in her halls, though? Not wanting to cause alarm but I went to uni with loads of Chinese students...

[Cappachuchu]

Highly unlikely. Get her to call 111.

[BrutusMcDogface]

I should add: Chinese students who have recently been in China.

Though saying that, the government have released leaflets etc for schools so I’m sure the staff of the uni will be aware and putting measures in place if necessary.

[EnidBlyton]

There are a lot of Chinese students in the uk, i have not raised the question.
111 good idea

[fuckitywhy]

I work in a university. We've all had months and months of coughs, colds and flu going round our offices (which are increasingly big, hotdesking, rubbish air conditioning). I honestly cannot think of the last time someone in the team wasn't sick.

That might not reassure you exactly of course but I wouldn't jump to panic if I were you!

[Ciwirocks]

Is she in university in York? Even if she is it would be highly unlikely to be this new strain of Coronavirus but I would understand your worry. If not, I wouldn’t worry at all. The people who will test positive for this virus first would be those who have brought it back from China. Seen as there have only been 2 cases confirmed in the UK so far, there has not been enough time passed for her to catch the virus and display symptoms

[ScarlettDarling]

But op, even if it was the coronavirus (which is really unlikely), chances are she'd have a flu like illness for a week and then be completely fine. Try not to worry says me with my raging health anxiety!!

[CuckooCuckooClock]

The York student had not been on campus since exposure so there is no reason to believe that York students are any more at risk than anyone else.

[Sunbeam18]

Doesn't sound like 111 is necessary

[EnidBlyton]

not in York,
but 111 is a good option for her should she continue with the symptoms

[hellsbells99]

I have advised DD to be extra careful - washing hands often etc. We have also discussed her not going to lectures. A lot of the lectures are for 200 odd students. Teaching started back last week and she has a lot of Chinese students in her course, many who have recently returned to the UK. She is going to attend all workshops, labs and seminars but watch the lectures online.

[EnidBlyton]

oh @hellsbells99

[jomaIone]

Hysteria.

[WitchenKitch]

Even if it is Coronavirus, there's not much reason to panic. All the symptoms/complications are manageable.

The high death rate in epidemics like this is mostly due to the sheer numbers of sick people overloading hospitals.
It is simple to manage one patient who needs eg intubation, impossible to cope with one thousand. Even then, the guessed at fatality rate is 2%. 98% is good odds.

Healthy adults in countries with a functioning health care system are not likely to die, in fact, getting the Coronavirus early on could be lucky.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Witchen you need to rethink your attempts at reassuring people!
How is talking about intubation and death rates going to help calm someone who's dd does not have Corona?

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I am not advising dd to stay away from lectures. Even though her university have very recently hosted students from Wuhan.

Yes, I'm a little concerned about the virus (one of my more odd interests is emerging diseases) but I'm not in the slightest bit concerned about any sort of personal risk at this point. The odds of coming into contact with it are so very very small.

[WitchenKitch]

Sorry hun.

[Bronzegate]

DS lives in private halls where the vast majority (90%+) of the residents are overseas students whose home is in China. Statistically a few of them are likely to be from Wuhan. It's very possible that some of them went home for New Year.

I am not particularly concerned. In terms of relative risk, coronavirus doesn't make the top five. He is more likely to get seasonal flu. And if he does, he is a healthy young adult with a fully functioning immune system.

If I had a son or daughter who was severely immunocompromised, then that would raise my level of concern.

[Bronzegate]

For the OP's daughter, I think the same advice works for any respiratory infection.

Rest, stay hydrated, take paracetamol if needed.
If she becomes so unwell that she can't drink fluids, or if her breathing becomes difficult, she should call the GP (or OOH) or 111.

Hope she feels better soon.

[LaBelleSauvage123]

DS is on a gap year and due to leave for Australia and SE Asia next week. He’s being very sensible, monitoring WHO guidelines etc but I have to admit I’m a bit concerned.

[littlemeitslyn]

'Hun'

[Stolenkisses]

I feel a bit worried too. My DD is in her second year at York and lives right near the hotel that the two Chinese students were staying in. I’ve spoken to her about hand washing and not touching her face. Not sure whether to send her a mask, as there seem to be mixed views on how effective they are?

[LaBelleSauvage123]

Littlemeitslyn??