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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you do this?

25 replies

TheGrandOldDukeOfDork · 26/05/2019 08:09

Go out visiting people when you have a cold?

I've got one at the moment, meant to be going to a family get together today & not sure whether it's really inconsiderate to go & potentially spread it around. Or really lame & rude to cancel at such short notice?

Is this a no brainer? Blush

I feel fine, it's just a stuffy nose, so not like I'm feeling too ill to go. I'll admit, I usually do just go places anyway, not sure why I'm questioning it today!

I wouldn't ring in sick to work with a cold either. Just wondering what others do?

OP posts:
littlemeitslyn · 26/05/2019 08:10

Maybe not if there's small children or babies

herculepoirot2 · 26/05/2019 08:10

I go places with a cold. It’s too common and lasts too long to do otherwise.

WhiteRedRose · 26/05/2019 08:11

Just go

MrsExpo · 26/05/2019 08:13

I’d go, but take some Lemsip or other stuff beforehand to calm it down, and lots of tissues etc. Just avoid kissing anyone or doing anything else which would spread it round.

Thistles24 · 26/05/2019 08:14

It depends if it’s full blown cold or just sniffles for me. And if there’s babies, pregnant ladies or anyone with chest problems.

Bluntness100 · 26/05/2019 08:15

If it's just a stuffy nose I'd go. Are you sure it's not hay Fever?

Bobbiepin · 26/05/2019 08:17

I wont go see people I know have compromised immune systems but other than that I don't restrict myself. Might not get too close (no hugs and kisses) but it's a cold, you can't avoid them forever.

CherryPavlova · 26/05/2019 08:17

You can’t really put life on hold for a simple cold. Agreed if you feel fine it could be hay fever.

WishUponAStar88 · 26/05/2019 08:19

I would carry on as usual with a cold but would just keep a distance from very young/ very old. If I didn’t go out if I or any of the kids had a cold we’d never leave the house some months Grin

Original poster
TheGrandOldDukeOfDork · 26/05/2019 08:35

I thought it might be hayfever yesterday, but today it feels like a full blown cold. But I don't feel ill, I'm well enough to go about business as usual.

The only little ones there will be mine, & DH's elderly grandparents will be there.

I know who gave me the cold so now I'm thinking WHYYYY did they come round spreading their germs - but then, I'm happy to do the same to others when my only other option is to stay in being bored! Grin

OP posts:
MuthaFunka61 · 26/05/2019 08:39

I'd rather stay home than contaminate others (the Protestant work ethic has a lot to answer for),especially if visiting elderly parents who may not be resilient.

Original poster
TheGrandOldDukeOfDork · 26/05/2019 08:47

That's the thing, I feel it's a bit gross to be sat talking to people in my croaky cold voice, tissue in hand, constantly dabbing my runny nose, sniffing etc. I never know if people are thinking 'why did you come?' or, if I cancelled, 'what a snowflake'.

OP posts:
Passthecherrycoke · 26/05/2019 08:49

I just carry on as normal. You can catch a common cold from anywhere, as long as you’re careful with hand washing etc it’ll be fine.

Passthecherrycoke · 26/05/2019 08:50

“Today 08:39 MuthaFunka61

I'd rather stay home than contaminate others (the Protestant work ethic has a lot to answer for),especially if visiting elderly parents who may not be resilient.”

That’s not much of a worth ethic to stay at home with a cold 🤣

DuggeesWoggle · 26/05/2019 08:57

I'd say if you are still in the sneezy, streaming infectious stage then stay home. A cold can be much more serious in an elderly person who may already have breathing issues. Probably worse for the elderly than for small children (unless tiny babies) who seem to constantly be swimming in a sea of snot at nursery etc

Personally I would relish the chance to have a day on the sofa while DH took the kids to a family dinner. It's my idea of heaven (and his idea of hell to have to take them Grin). I've got a nasty cough/cold at the moment (and am 6 months pregnant so can't take anything) and would like nothing more than to veg out, and am doing my utmost but with a 3 year old and husband who always needs to be 'doing something' it's not easy!

If you're not sure, ring ahead. My grandparents would never have let me across the threshold if I dared visit with even the tiniest sniffle (both long dead now). There will be other events.

kaytee87 · 26/05/2019 08:59

If DH elderly grandparents are there then I'd give it a miss.

DuggeesWoggle · 26/05/2019 09:02

Tbh I hate it when people drag themselves to work when they really should have stayed at home with a streaming cold. No one wants to sit near someone constantly sneezing or coughing and the ill person probably isn't working very effectively anyway. I have had a few colds in recent years that have wiped me flat out and there's no way I could have functioned properly at work. The attitude that it's 'just a cold' is really annoying as it can really make you feel quite unwell and if passed around a warm office can risk making others ill too which surely is worse for the company anyway as leads to more staff illness.

Furrydogmum · 26/05/2019 09:10

I started with a cold 14 days ago, felt awful for first week but had to work. I'm still coughing and blowing my nose constantly now. I live in a 6 person household and haven't passed it on to anyone else despite being the main cook in the house.. I wish I could have stayed home and not done anything the first week - don't think it would have lasted this long then!

dudsville · 26/05/2019 09:13

Also factor in whether there are upcoming important events for those your visiting. I'd they are going in holiday or something then I'd not take the risk.

chipsandgin · 26/05/2019 09:15

I personally silently think ‘why the fuck are you in my house giving us your germs’! Sorry OP. But if you did I’d be too polite to say anything!

From experience one side of my family & a few of our friends seem particularly lax about hand washing or having any understanding of how disease is transmitted (& therefore get endless colds etc..). I’ve winced as someone clearly unwell & constantly blowing their nose leaps in to help prep a salad or get the ice for the drinks or hand a small child food with bare hands... so if you do go as long as you avoid that you’ll be doing better than most!

Langrish · 26/05/2019 09:17

If you’re visiting healthy adults I’d mention it but probably go. Visiting with babies/young kids/anyone with compromised health, no wouldn’t go.

namechangedforthis1980 · 26/05/2019 09:17

I probably wouldn't go if there was anyone immunocompromised, anyone very elderly or newborn babies

Original poster
TheGrandOldDukeOfDork · 26/05/2019 16:34

I didn't go, I've had a lovely relaxing afternoon by myself in front of the telly! I realised somebody who would be there is going on holiday soon & probably wouldn't appreciate catching my cold.

OP posts:
WitchDancer · 26/05/2019 16:38

One of my clients came in on Friday with a cold. They weren't to know my auto immunity is low, but I'm non too happy as my week off is going to spent trying to get over the cold I'm coming down with 😔

I always phone and ask before visiting anyone with germs, which will enable them to choose.

BottleOfJameson · 26/05/2019 16:49

A stuffy nose? I wouldn't even think twice and would go alone (assuming I have no specific reason not to e.g. immuno-compromised person in family etc). If someone had a newborn baby I usually ask - and make it clear I'm happy to stay away.

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