Worrying and not someone to calm me down...

[ilovecats2024]

So I know I'm silly but lots of early loss has made me really worry about illness.
My Dad is 81 and fit and healthy.
Two days ago I started getting a scratchy throat.
Yesterday was scratchy and coughing up phlegm.
Went to my dad's but only stayed 10 mins and didn't get too close.
Today I've woke up to a full blown cold
Sneezing and nose running every 2 seconds
Had to drop stuff at my dads but didn't go in
Handed him a carrier bag and stayed on the pavement outside.
I won't go and see him now till it's gone.
Stupidly I forgot to anti bac my hands before I handed him the bag.
I'm so worried I Could have passed it on.

What days will I be most contagious?

Is he medically vulnerable in some way?

No he's not

A cold shouldn't kill him. Colds are a normal part of everyday life.

No, I wouldn't worry even if it were covid, I've seen plenty of older and vulnerable people have it and its been no worse than a normal cold in how its affected them.

He'll be fine!
Getting a cold isn't the worst thing ever.
I'm not sure why you're so worried.
Have you got health anxiety?

Then why are you so worried? He could pick a cold up anywhere.

I do understand your worry but please don't. I'm sure the precautions you took are fine. You can't wrap him entirely in cotton wool. If he isn't a housebound hermit, he will be meeting people all the time with viruses of all sorts.

I have a 90 year old relative with some lung problems and try to be very careful. And then it turns out she's gone to a coffee morning or something and has ended up sitting next to someone who tested positive for covid the next day or similar. However, it would be far worse for her overall health if she stayed at home all the time.