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.

[ShellieEllie]

It sounds as though his PTSD is not being managed at the moment. A call to Combat Stress or the Veterans Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service might be useful. He should also definitely get a Covid test, be that at a testing station or via a home kit.

[NerrSnerr]

If he doesn't get tested you'll all have to self isolate for 14 days regardless of whether he has it. That means no shopping, walks etc.

If he tests positive he needs to isolate for 7 days and the rest of you 14z

If he tests negative you all get on with your life.

It is likely it'll be negative.

[PuppyMonkey]

Yep - he won’t be able to go out jogging for 14 days, as he’s got symptoms now. Better he gets the test ASAP and if it’s negative and he starts feeling better next week or etc, he can jog again.

[LIZS]

Have you been food shopping, to collect prescriptions , dc been to school? Any of you could be asymptomatic but he has developed symptoms. Order a test for him then at least you would know and can isolate if needs be. If one of you has passed it to him you may also have to others.

[pinktaxi]

@Flyingfish2019

I’m not trying to guilt trip you, just tell your DH to get a grip and get tested. So much more sensible than having to quarantine everyone unnecessarily. If it was my DH I’d drag him there. He is being a idiot if he won’t get tested.

[Mittens030869]

Basically your DH needs to get tested so you know one way or the other. I know it's scary with MH issues; I have PTSD and anxiety myself as well as CFS, and I have long-term COVID symptoms. At least testing is available now, it wasn't for so many of us.

How old is he? And does he have any underlying health issues? Those are the key questions. If he's young and has none, it will almost certainly be a mild form of the disease. Or it might be something else.

[Toomuchtrouble4me]

Do get the test because if it's not CV then he may have a chect infection or something and need anti B's. Also, if it is then at least he knows and if he does need a hospital visit then he can let them know.I wonder how he got it? Do you wash your shopping and hands after deliveries?

[catgirl1976]

He can ring 119 to order a test.

[MadameMeursault]

He has to call 119 (not 111) and arrange a test. He must not leave the house for any other reason. You all need to be tested too plus, if you test positive, anyone you’ve been in contact with.

I despair somewhat about people not knowing this ☹️ it’s been pretty well publicised.

[DancingInTheGarden]

Loss of sense of smell and taste is a later symptom of Covid-19. The fever and cough etc are early appearing symptoms. The lost of taste happens several days later. I wish the guidance made that clear.

[JinglingHellsBells]

@tropafp8 You're on the wrong thread- this is about Covid symptoms

[Frazzled2207]

You need to get tested- until you get a negative test you ALL need to stay at home.
If he hasn’t been anywhere and everyone else is well though, it likely will not be covid.’l
Call the GP if you’re worried about him, but the GP can’t help with diagnosis. You have to organise the test yourself.

[Bluetrews25]

Don't click on that link above.

[Bluetrews25]

Loss of smell/ taste can be the only symptom

[laurac28]

Hi sorry to hear your husband is unwell, as others have said it would be a good idea for him to get a test done. My husband had the virus in April lasted about two weeks his started with a cough than dizziness and sore head and sore joints was different nearly each day he got a fever later on but luckily he recovered he is 40 . It was a very worrying time and of course if his breathing had changed at all I would have rang 911. Myself and my kids didn't have any symptoms I kept them upstairs and kept scrubbing everything and our hands so this seemed to work, he stayed downstairs had plenty of fluids and painkillers when he needed them. I hope this helps an really hope your husband reovers

[ListeningQuietly]

Flyingfish
Put your home postcode into this map
www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/causesofdeath/articles/deathsinvolvingcovid19interactivemap/2020-06-12
to see what the real risk is where YOU live
and then either book a test and take him to the centre
or get one delivered
but his MH is the much bigger issue than COVID at the moment

[FedUpOfChangingName]

Do not ring the GP

DO NOT go to the doctors or hospital

He will only need medical assistance IF his breathing is bad, and then you ring 111 or in an emergency 999 and tell them all his symptoms.

If he doesnt get bad, and he doesnt get a test, the whole family now need to isolate for 14 days.... Noone is to leave the house at all. Not for a walk, not for anything.
If anyone else gets it then you are all required to keep isolating....

Do not open the door to postman, deliveries, nothing.


Get a test, if negative, You can all move on.
Surely its better that you know?

[BitOfFun]

I agree that the whole family need testing.

[Sweettea1]

If he's only going for a jog of a night with no one else around an stays in house the rest of the time I would think it's something else chest infection maybe. At least if he gets a test it will put your mind at ease

[HelpFlattenTheCurve]

Is it a productive cough (ie coughing up sputum) or a dry cough? And is he coughing up any blood?

Either way, with those symptoms he should get a COVID test, but if he has a productive cough with a fever then I believe it would be a sign of bacterial infection, which can be treated with antibiotics. Obviously a doctor would have to diagnose this.

[LindaLovesCake]

My niece has had corona despite never leaving the house since the last day of school.

[TiddlestheCat]

It seems unlikely if you've all been good at self isolating. However, you can go to a drive through testing station if he needs reassurance. Also, he needs to realise how many people get it and are either symptomless or have fairly mild symptoms. I know a few families who have had it and all been fine.

[BashStreetKid]

Why do you need to persuade your OP to get the test done? You said the reason he was reluctant because he thought he'd have to go to the GP, but people have explained that it isn't necessary. Have you ordered tests for him and the rest of the family?

[frumpety]

It sounds as though his PTSD is not being managed at the moment. A call to Combat Stress or the Veterans Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service might be useful.

^ this ^

He is scared and has anchored his fear onto covid. He needs to talk to someone who knows how to talk through this fear with someone who suffers from PTSD.
You say he has hypertension, is he medicated for this ? is he taking the medication ? How or when was this diagnosed ?
He sounds a lot fitter than the vast majority of the population if he is working out and going jogging, do you know what his BMI is ? How old is he ?