Dh has a fever and a cough and we are afraid of coronavirus - need to talk

[Flyingfish2019]

Hello,
Just need to talk. Dh has combat ptsd and has been very afraid of the coronavirus ever since this started.
None of us has left the house much and dh works from home and only left the house after nightfall to go jogging (alone) because he was afraid of meeting other people.

Now dh has a fever and a cough. The rest of us are okay. Dh is self isolating now and very afraid and to be honest I feel a bit afraid too.

He doesn’t want to see a gp because he is afraid of catching the coronavirus if he doesn’t already have it.

He has a fever and a cough but NO loss of smell or taste.

How is his temp now OP? I am not a medic but it sounded at the low end of fever before.

You don't say what activities other household members have been doing, but I think it is very unlikely to be covid. Cases are low, and he has not had much exposure. But it could be and right now for all of us that means isolating for the whole household and DH getting tested.

I would call his GP, the GP won’t want him in the surgery anyway, but they can give him advice

The advice is book a test. Please don’t phone the GP.

@Bleepbloopblarp I have NO idea where he could have caught it. He goes only out to run and only after dark when there are few other people, avoids touching things, showers when he comes home, washes his jogging clothes with disinfecting wash and disinfects his shoes,

OTOH I have no idea where he could have caught something else. I wondered it this might be an allergic reaction to something, hay fever or something like this.

OP you've had 100 people telling you how to get a test. Are you actually going to do it or just keep worrying, possibly needlessly?

He needs a test.

A workmate of mines partner was shielding but became unwell and had a positive test, so it can happen.

So, @Flyingfish2019, have you ordered the test for him? What day is it arriving?

It is irrelevant who he has or hasn't seen or where he has or hasn't been. You have a moral obligation to get tested. End of.

Sooner he gets tested and then treated potentially the better the outcome. Order the test.

Get a test. There are plenty available. You can either book a test at a local test centre (there will probably be slots available today) or get one posted to you.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

It could be a hundred things other than Covid but, as he has 2 of the 4 recognised symptoms, he should get a test.

Posting the link again in case OP has missed
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus

Just get him tested. Then you know what you’re dealing with. Either home or drive thru as dozens of people have now suggested.
In the meantime, he needs to rest, drink plenty of fluids and take paracetmol to keep his fever under control.

Do you disinfect your shopping? Where do you live?

I have no idea where he could have caught something else. I wondered it this might be an allergic reaction to something, hay fever or something like this

Since less than 1% of people who are tested are now proving positive - and remember they're often ones with symptoms - I'd say there's every chance it's something else and that the worry is causing him to feel worse than he might otherwise

Best to be cautious and get a test anyway though, even if just to rule CV out

Book a test! It’s easy: I got one for 20 mins later on same day and had results texted within 24 hours. (Negative!)

Have you booked a test? We went to the drive through one near us, got an appointment same day and you do it yourself (swab in throat and nose) instructions are very clear, results in 48 hours. Get it done.

Get him tested ASAP. You could be worrying for nothing.

Firstly, get a test. It sounds like COVID. Act like it is until you are sure. Don't spend time worrying why, when, where - this is a very contagious virus. You can pick it up from shopping, touching a railing....

On a practical note, I'd offer the following:
Get plenty paracetamol to bring temp down and help with sore throat, aches or pains or headache (that might come)
Plenty warm drinks
Hot water bottle to soothe an aching chest
Plenty of sleep, rest, easy meals, nothing strenuous

Try not to panic, but dial 111 or your GP if you feel you need to. It's OK to feel scared, but try not to let it overwhelm you. Plenty people survive COVID, but take it easy. In my experience, it can take weeks and symptoms and presentation can be different from one family member to the other.

Good luck OP. You've got this.

Have you ordered a home test Op? Come back to us when you've done it and got the result. No more to be done til then

Hope he's ok (and you).

I had a mild fever and viral symptoms 3 weeks ago. Went for a drive through test on the Tuesday I booked it. Had my results in the early hours of Thursday morning. I encountered no one except the nurse who did my test. It was negative and turns out I had a bacterial infection. But the testing is super distanced and efficient where I live.

Op

Your husband will be fine I’m sure
I Am more concerned about Children in this environment. Yours and your husbands anxiety will very much be absorbed by them.
Have you been taking them out?

I’ll talk to him and try to convince him to have a test done.

He needs to look online to see the nearest Coronavirus testing station, and go and get tested. None of this nonsense please about Cathy g it at the GPS or at the testing station. He needs to be tested and contacts traced. Tell him to get on with it.