Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Think I have 'symptoms' and I'm a teacher. Just need reassurance im doing the right thing.

117 replies

NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 04:17

I've been awake for most of the night coughing. It started at around 7pm last night. It's 4am and I've been awake for the past hour solidly. Its a dry cough. I have mild discomfort when I breathe but nothing that would normally concern me.

My dinner tasted 'funny' last night. The children said it tasted fine but it was just a bit bland to me and didn't taste right. Can't really explain how though otherwise.

I'm a primary school teacher.

They've told us "not to take any chances" if we think we have symptoms. 2 of our bubbles have already been closed due to positive tests and several children have already been off with suspected symptoms although nearly all tests have come back negative.

A few other teachers have had to isolate with symptoms until test results come back.

I know I need to phone and tell them and not go in but I don't feel 'ill' as such (no temperature) and years of dragging myself in, dosed up to the hilt and just surviving the day have conditioned me and I feel incredibly guilty Sad it just feels 'wrong' to phone in when I don't feel 'ill' enough to take time off. Just need reassurance really.

Plus its the last few days before half term. And that always feels especially bad for being ill. Thanks.

OP posts:
lovemylot1 · 21/10/2020 04:20

Yes of course you should stay home and get tested and I hope you get better soon.

Useruseruserusee · 21/10/2020 04:20

You need to isolate and take a test, you are doing the right thing.

perfumeistooexpensive · 21/10/2020 04:25

I've had a dry cough for the whole of this term. I'm awake from coughing now. My test was negative. I haven't had a problem with taste though. Try a few strong flavours and see if they are affected. I know that you should call in sick, but what a dilemma for you. Have you any other possible symptoms? I know others will say that you must isolate and test, but if you feel really well, maybe the cough is of no consequence. Sorry that I can't be more helpful.

Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 04:26

Thanks.

We have parents evening this week too but they're all being conducted online so I can still do them from home.

OP posts:
IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 21/10/2020 04:30

It's not a dilemma! You have symptoms, you isolate.

It's incredibly simple.

Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 04:32

perfumeistooexpensive

That's the dilemma. I feel I could physically go in but it makes a mockery of the whole thing if i decide my symptoms don't mean anything. Esp as we've already had bubbles close.

If I had a test and it was negative, well I'd obviously return for the end of the week (no idea how long tests take!)

We had chilli for tea last night. The children said it was nice but I just kept apologising because it didn't taste very nice. I've just had a cup of tea and couldn't really taste it.

I just keep thinking that its three days till the end of term so isolating would only inconvenience the school for a few days.

OP posts:
Mammyloveswine · 21/10/2020 04:33

And this is why it's spreading! Someone at my work was in coughing and spluttering all over the place on Monday..positive result today... 😡

FWIW I'm a primary teacher too so I get it but you have to ring in.

Get a test ASAP and you might get the results back within 24 hours!

Longdistance · 21/10/2020 04:34

You have symptoms. Get a test. You could pass it on to some of the kids who pass it in to an unwell parent or a grandparent. Do the right thing and phone in just to be cautious.

Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 04:36

It's not a dilemma!

I know that really but I rarely take time off and am just used to dragging myself in regardless of how I feel - and that's what's expected usually. I've only ever had time off for d&v bugs. Other illnesses, I just drag myself in and barely function.

It just feels 'wrong'. But obviously it's a pandemic and no one should take any chances.

OP posts:
Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 04:37

Mammyloveswine

I know. We're in a high risk area too.

OP posts:
Evilwasps · 21/10/2020 04:40

There is no dilemma. You must phone in and stay home until you're well or no longer have to self isolate. Your family do too. I know you feel guilty, but imagine how guilty you would feel if you have covid and spread it to others.

A dilemma in this scenario is when you have to decide between doing the right thing and going to work so you get paid and can feed your family.

I hope you feel better soon OP

Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 04:43

Thanks.

I have a child at a different school and the decision to not send her in because of it is an easy one!

It's just myself 🙄

I absolutely wouldn't want to be responsible for passing it on to anyone else. I'd feel terribly guilty.

I know they've taken the shortness of breath off the mains symptoms list but I do feel I have that.

OP posts:
Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 04:44

I think part of my 'hesitation' (rather than reluctance) is that so many people I know have had negative tests!

OP posts:
IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 21/10/2020 04:48

I think you need to not think of it as phoning in sick.

It isn't staying off because you're ill.

It's staying off to protect others.

Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 04:49

It's staying off to protect others.

Yes. That's exactly what it is. You're right. I just need to reframe it as that in my head.

Thank you.

OP posts:
katieak · 21/10/2020 04:54

It isn't like a cold where you suck it up and crack on it you don't feel that ill. it is infectious and potentially dangerous. You need to stay home and test. There isn't really a question. FWIW the taste thing you've described is how mine started and I tested positive the next day. Go get your test, don't feel guilty about work and hope you feel better soon

Bluewavescrashing · 21/10/2020 04:54

I'm a primary teacher and I understand. It's really hard to phone in sick.

Hope you get a -ve test soon.

rose69 · 21/10/2020 04:55

People in your household should also isolate. Your school may have a test it can send you or you should ring the helpline for one.
Hope you feel better soon and stop worrying about missing end of term. It will be a lot more serious if you infect other vulnerable people.

Bmidreams · 21/10/2020 05:02

You have one of the 3 main symptoms so it's not even a choice. Focus your energy on booking a test. You could be back in work tomorrow.

And it's "me", not "myself". I'm sorry Wink

Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 05:03

Yes, I know. I have no problem at all keeping my family at home because of it.

I just feel guilty.

OP posts:
Bmidreams · 21/10/2020 05:05

Yes, the whole household needs to isolate until you have a negative test result.

Bmidreams · 21/10/2020 05:06

We've got a whole department off. Don't worry.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 21/10/2020 05:06

Book a test now. I booked one last week at this time, tested at 8am, results back 8am the next day. Only one day of work missed. There is no dilemma, the advice is clear.

Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 05:06

And it's "me", not "myself". I'm sorry

A grammar fail! Grin

Well that's proof if ever it was needed that I'm not well! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 05:07

*were 🙄

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread