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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:
Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 05:11

I've just started to feel hot too.

OP posts:
Bmidreams · 21/10/2020 05:14

Oh no, op!! Just chill and look after yourself. Make contact with work and book a test.

AliciaMayEmory · 21/10/2020 05:17

DH had a positive result this week. We felt sure it would come back negative. He had only coughed about 5 times over the weekend. No loss of taste etc. You are doing the right thing. Hope you feel better soon.

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

AliciaMayEmory

Oh no. I hope he feels better soon too!

I think the worry is people spreading it in the early stages of symptoms. I coughed at work a few times at work yesterday afternoon but thought nothing of it because it wasn't 'continuous'.

I went to bed early because I was tired and then woke coughing at 10.30pm. Woke again at 12
30am and then intermittently until 3am. I've been awake coughing since then.

Didn't have a temperature until about an hour ago.

I've messaged work and booked a test for this morning.

OP posts:
Dogsaresomucheasier · 21/10/2020 06:07

I’m a teacher two. I’ve had five days off this term on two separate occasions because of needing to isolate, once for me and once for my child. The guilt is horrendous but it is “right.”

Dogsaresomucheasier · 21/10/2020 06:08

Too! It’s too early!

Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 06:16

The guilt is horrendous.

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 21/10/2020 06:29

I’m glad to see you’ve booked a test. If it’s half term next week, the parents need time to prepare themselves, especially if you’re a primary teacher. Please don’t feel guilty.

HaggieMaggie · 21/10/2020 06:41

DD is a HCP, all her colleagues have had antibody tests, the % that have antibodies, and have presumably had the illness, but no symptoms, ever, is terrifying.

Please stay home.

CovidStoleTheRainbow · 21/10/2020 06:46

Of course you feel guilty, you're clearly committed to your job.
We all know the impact of having symptoms whether it's covid of a cold.

It really sucks doesn't it?
You're doing the right thing by not going in and getting tested.

Merename · 21/10/2020 06:46

I understand the dilemma totally - for me it’s the feeling of making a drama when chances are it’s nothing. Good that you now have the temp to make you feel less of a fraud! I am the same, been wheezing and coughing during the night and have now booked a test, but we’ve already had loads due to kids having coughs with colds, I feel a bit embarrassed really. And ‘am I really going to cancel the childminder today and face a day with the kids, for this?’ I am doing it tho. But I disagree with those who say no dilemma - when symptoms are not significant then there’s a weighing up process. Hope you are ok.

Submariner · 21/10/2020 06:47

OP they seem to release tests at 8am - twice in my family we've had to order a test and missed a whole day because we didn't try at 8am, but the next day tried at 8am and it worked straight away.

GnomeDePlume · 21/10/2020 06:51

You are doing the right thing.

I hope you feel better soon. Dont feel guilty if the test comes back negative. You will have saved a few people from catching what could be a nasty cold.

My boss is someone who insists on dragging herself into the office with a stomach bug or cold. It isnt heroic it's annoying and selfish especially when she can work from home..

I know teaching is different but I do think that employers in general have cut staffing levels back so far that there is no 'spare' in the system to allow for absences for whatever reason.

Anotherthink · 21/10/2020 06:52

Op you feel guilty because of your old mindset. If you even tried to go to work feeling like this you would feel a hell of a lot more guilty so it's definitely the right thing to do.

We kept getting negative tests back too..and then the postives started tricking in.

lovelemoncurd · 21/10/2020 06:55

I'm not even sure why you would deliberate. You have classic Covid symptoms!

TokyoSushi · 21/10/2020 06:55

If anybody ever needed to stay off, isolate and get a test it's you OP! Get well soon.

TildaTurnip · 21/10/2020 06:56

I really get this! I had symptoms in March and felt so guilty being off work, especially as there was no testing. Last week, I looked in my Personel file and interestingly, it isn’t recorded as ‘sick’ but instead as ‘covid leave’. I felt so guilty at the time even though feeling dreadful. It’s made me realise that usually when I’m not feeling well, I go in and this is why I can feel so rubbish at half terms and holidays!

MarriedtoDaveGrohl · 21/10/2020 06:58

No way is this a dilemma. Taste is 100% the big one and people with Covid don't feel that ill at first.. that bit comes later. Remember self isolating isn't a treat for you (even if it is) it's a measure to keep others safe.

Put it this way, if you toughed it out and then ended up giving it to loads of people one of whom died because you went in for the day how would you feel? Of all of the symptoms taste appears to be the consistent one even in teenagers who don't really get ill. So I'd pay attention to that.

Whybot · 21/10/2020 07:01

Self isolate please And test .

Ffsffsffsffsffs · 21/10/2020 07:02

Our SLT have been ace about staff needing to isolate - either due to symptoms, family with symptoms or app notifications.

I've had one day off (tested late on Saturday, results Monday) and it doesn't count as absence, which was a relief. I just have a 'traditional' cough

Original poster
NoMoreShows · 21/10/2020 07:02

Well I'd obviously never forgive myself if I passed it on to anyone. So am definitely staying off.

I booked the test at about 5.30am so managed to get an early one.

OP posts:
MiniMaxi · 21/10/2020 07:02

Don’t feel guilty at all, you’re doing the right thing. It would be irresponsible to go in.

Cautionwords · 21/10/2020 07:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsBrunch · 21/10/2020 07:05

Really? You feel guilty about protecting others?

You have classic symptoms. The guidance is clear. If a teacher can't follow simple instructions, god help the schools.

tempnamechange98765 · 21/10/2020 07:06

No, call in sick with the cough explanation, get a test immediately, self isolate and wait. It might just be another virus! But it might not.

You can still take virtual parents evening as you say, so it's only three days that your class needs to be covered.

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