Hospital appointment with covid symptoms

[NCForNosies]

DH and I have had a difference of opinion. I've been ill with COVID symptoms (persistent cough with difficulty breathing, high temp headaches, sleeping a lot) for over a week. I've had negative lateral flow and PCR. I have an appointment which was scheduled before this but wanted others opinion on this.

Would you go to said hospital appointment or postpone? The next appointment may not be for a few weeks as a result and, for example, broken arm not reviewed until then.

If you have had negative PCR in the last 24 hours or so I would go and make sure you have the proof with you.

Maybe phone them in advance to check?

If you have a recent negative PCR test result (i.e. from over the weekend) I think you are ok to go.

No, it was about a week ago that I had the PCR. Lateral flow was yesterday but the initial symptoms were more cold like a couple of days before that.

Sorry, initial symptoms were before the PCR.

If you’ve had a negative pcr you haven’t got covid you’ve got a cold so yes I’d go .

I’d have another PCR before going to the appointment

You must phone and ask them what to do. The hospital will have a process for this situation. But please don’t just turn up to see if they let you in - they are unlikely to, and they won’t want another virus circulating and taking staff out of action regardless of whether it’s actually Covid.

I think advice on hospital doors is not to go if you have any covid symptoms. I had an outpatients appointment Saturday for my daughter and we were stopped at the door and had to say if we had symptoms

Do you have time to do another PCR before the appointment?

Just call them to ask first. Even with negative PCR they may turn you away because of the symptoms (unless of course the hospital appointment is related to the symptoms).

Please don't go! A lot of other people attending hospital are incredibly vulnerable to viruses, and you'd be putting them at risk.

@NCForNosies

No, it was about a week ago that I had the PCR. Lateral flow was yesterday but the initial symptoms were more cold like a couple of days before that.

Is there any chance of getting another PCR before the appointmet? A lot can change in a week, including PCR results.

If you can't get another PCR I wouldn't attend.

I don't think you should attend. The pcr was a week ago.

At my local hospital, as soon as you reach the doors, they take your temp. If they do this at yours and your temperature is still high, you won't be getting through the doors anyway.

Postpone the appointment.
The advice generally is not to attend hospital appointments with Covid symptoms due to vulnerable other patients and also to protect NHS staff.

No, I don't think you should go as you don't have a recent, negative PCR test.

A negative lateral flow is meaning as you have symptoms.

Argh! Meaningless, that should say.

I've had lots of hospital appointments lately for myself and my youngest and never had our temperature taken. I don't understand how everywhere is so different.

Do you mean you have developed new covid symptoms since that pcr a week ago? If you have I wouldn't go, I'd get another pcr. If you had all the same symptoms when you tested a week ago and haven't developed new ones I'd maybe try and call first for advice.

You need another PCR. Taking out one consultant with covid isn't worth the risk, they aren't roles that someone else can easily take over.

If my husband is off that's every one of his patients cancelled and because of the booking system it's 6 weeks for a new appointment.

I had a negative PCR and three negative LFTs in a week prior to testing positive 4 days later on PCR. Do you think you have been exposed to covid?

Your PCR was not recent.
LFTs have a high false negative rate.
You have Covid symptoms.
They will ask you if you have any Covid symptoms when you arrive. If you say yes they will send you away and reschedule.

Easier to phone them and reschedule the appointment. If you are really worried you can ask them if they will swap your appointment to a telephone one so you still get to speak to someone.

Go to a drive through place and get PCR asap. A week is a long time for this.

You should have had a second PCR and definitely not relied on a more recent LFT. If you knew the appointment was coming up, I’m stunned that you didn’t get a PCR! Rey and get a drive through today as those results tend to be quicker.

Please don’t. I know it’s a pain for you but it’s really hard for hospital staff too. Where I work is really seeing an increase in people ignoring symptoms (not saying you are) and carrying on as normal, it’s causing massive disruption and fear.
We can’t cope.

Call them but don’t be surprised if you are asked to postpone.