Cold or corona?

[w00dlander]

I know it's a cold. DH thinks I should stay indoors and avoid work and elderly parents etc.

I've not been to an infected area, I don't know anyone who has etc etc.

It's a cold!

Surely we can't start thinking every snivel means self isolation?!

If you have a runny nose it's unlikely to be coronavirus, afaik you dont get a runny nose or sneezes with coronavirus.

Why they on about sneezing into elbows then?

I'm going to carry on as normal. I always ring clients to. Check they still want me to visit when I have a cold so then it's their choice.

I'm trying to conserve my paracetamol stash (one packet already in cupboard) though just in case so hope this cold is mild.

Some people do get a runny nose with COVID-19, around 5%, so while it's unlikely to be CV-19 if you have a runny nose it's not impossible.

The main indicators though are flu-like symptoms (even though it's not flu) such as fever, aches, sore throat, dry cough, etc.

I would carry on as normal as long as you feel okay and you don’t have a fever. I feel really rough at the moment, with cough, aches, miserable but no fever. I’m seeing how I feel tomorrow before I decide what I do with work.

But I work in infectious diseases and while not directly with anyone with coronavirus, I have colleagues who have clinics on the wards where the quarantine units are. So it’s not a crazy assumption that I could come in contact with it, despite my best efforts.

I've been feeling a bit off since Monday. I haven't been to a restricted area, I don't know anybody who has, there's no case within a 15 mile radius. I know it's the start of a cold, Ive had plenty in my time. but the annoying voice in the dark recess of my mind is whispering coronavirus.

Ive got a dry cough and the beginning of a sore throat. I have been no where for months, dont socialise, havent been abroad for a couple of years, but I'm having to calm myself down. I could have picked it up in Aldi I suppose.

It's a scary time to feel ill - I hope you all just have colds.

I rang a number earlier ( government) and they still say not mixing with a area which is known area of infection. Then they say there is no way you need a test ? How do we feel about that

They've tested over 21000 people in the UK for coronavirius and around 200 have been positive.

So the odds are that even if you have the symptoms and have been somewhere where you might have caught it, there's less than 1% chance that you actually have it.