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.

Louise5754 - I think it depends on the size of the hospital and what they treat there. I have 2 hospitals I attend at the moment, one is my local hospital which is very large and very strict re COVID. Temperature taken at the door and you have to wear a mask supplied by them. The other is much smaller and is more of a specialist hospital, no A and E. No temperature taken at the door, people can just walk in regardless and can wear own mask.

The hospital will ask if you’ve had any covid symptoms?

when is the appointment?
If the PCR test was a week ago, I'd get another one, If you can get to a test centre (rather than having it mailed to you) the results will probably with you within 24 hours.

The trouble is, even if it’s just a cold, if anyone else catches it, it’s a big inconvenience to them - for example, if a member of hospital staff gets it they might require a couple of days off work to get a PCR test and wait for their results. I know it’s a pain to rearrange your appointment but the alternative might mean dozens of rearranged appointments for other people if the staff they need to see have to take time off.

Phone them, explain everything and ask. I recently had a dentist appointment and had been in a lot of close contact with DD who had covid at the time. They said as long as I did a negative LFT I could still go. They will have protocols for this. Ask them.

Take another pcr, you could have 2 conditions at the same time and covid caught second

D ring the hospital and ask them.

Maybe they will be happy with a LFT, maybe they will a PCR. Maybe regardless of the results, they will not want to see you.

Just ring them.

@Lampan

The trouble is, even if it’s just a cold, if anyone else catches it, it’s a big inconvenience to them - for example, if a member of hospital staff gets it they might require a couple of days off work to get a PCR test and wait for their results. I know it’s a pain to rearrange your appointment but the alternative might mean dozens of rearranged appointments for other people if the staff they need to see have to take time off.

I’m sorry but now THAT is rubbish.

There has always been some colds around. People at hospital will get in contact with them outside the hospital (think of a parent with a young child!).
You can’t ask people to postpone appointment that are like hens teeth because of a cold

At my Mum’s annual cancer appointment on Friday, they were weeding out anyone with any COVID or covid-like symptoms when you checked in. I know it’s a very different clinic to one you may be attending due to active disease & immunosuppressives patients, but they had the same ‘border control’ checks for all clinics we wandered passed! Even the audiology & physio appointments on the same floor were checking folk.

I’d err on the side of caution (especially with a PCR result that was a week ago) & rebook, or see if you can have your appointment moved to a phone consultation.

DH has had phone & Skype consults with his orthopaedic clinic regularly over the past year, he had a surgery planned for the end of March 2020 which, though not an emergency, is classed as urgent (as his shoulder is falling apart, there had been much shambling about in the Dressing Gown of Despair & ranting at the sky about anti vaxxers & self serving selfish c*s not following recommendations to limit spread ultimately meaning he hasn’t had his surgery yet, whilst swallowing fistfuls of painkillers to get through the working day).

Regardless of whether it’s covid or not, if you’re in an active stage of a respiratory infection with a high temperature, no one wants whatever you have.

If it’s not Covid, and even PCR tests aren’t 100% accurate, it sounds more like flu than a cold. They won’t want flu being brought into the hospital either. I imagine they will ask if you have a temperature and perhaps check it with a thermometer.

Best to ring them and explain.
Hope you feel better soon.

You had a PCR test result 7 days and had symptoms before that? How long before? and when is your appointment? Do you have time for a repeat? It’s unlikely you have covid and you’d probably be through the isolation period anyway? I’d call the hospital and ask for advice. I wouldn’t skip an appointment unless told to, multiple people doing that will slow done the waiting list for everyone. Just be honest about the symptoms etc and let them decide

I thought it would be best to rearrange and have (which was my line of thinking but DH thought it was best to go). The deciding factor is whatever this illness is, it is horrible and I don't want anyone getting it. The hospital seemed miffed really which I understand but I'd rather be on the safe side.

I had general symptoms of a cold 2 days before the PCR test so approx 10 days ago. Test was actually 8 days ago. I'd spoken to GP for advice on something else and he thought it was viral and recommended that I just rest up.

I had relied on the two tests and what GP said. In hindsight, I'm annoyed at myself at just accepting that the tests are reliable and passing conversation with GP. I'm wondering whether another PCR now is too late? Anyone have experience of this?

It’s a cold. It’s November - almost December and the temperature is below 5 degrees in most parts of the UK. I’ve had the same symptoms, it’s a cold.

How long did the fever last @Gerlais?

Although last few days it's not been so quick to go back up, it just hits around 39 degrees a couple of times a day, even with paracetamol. It's been 7 days and and I'm knackered!

Have another PCR. A colleague had 4 negative LFTs and a negative PCR whilst symptomatic and then a couple of days later had positive LFT and PCR. Don't risk taking anything in.

@NCForNosies

How long did the fever last *@Gerlais*?

Although last few days it's not been so quick to go back up, it just hits around 39 degrees a couple of times a day, even with paracetamol. It's been 7 days and and I'm knackered!

About a week, I still feel crap today but I’ve not left the house since Friday and I’m getting cabin fever. So I took the dog for a long frosty walk this morning and now I’m going to carry on with my day best I can. I swear my sofa has a dint in it the shape of my arse! (3 negative LFT and one negative PCR)

Ring and ask. You may find you can have a virtual or telephone appointment instead at the same time. It's what we would do in this situation if possible. If you can get a PCR done in time do that instead and go with proof . If you arrive in my clinic you would be asked to leave by the clinic nurses with those symptoms

I think have another pcr. A week ago isn’t recent, as others have said, and lft isn’t good enough if you have symptoms

It also sounds like you’re too ill to go, even if not Covid

Give them a ring and ask their advice but I think you need to get the second pcr asap

You need a more recent PCR!

Im a nurse.

No point ringing and asking.

You. Need to get a more recent PCR . Please do not go without a more recent PCR

In my experience they ask if you have any symptoms of covid, not whether you've had a -ve test.

Covid or not covid, you have a high temperature meaning you are fighting an infection which may well be contagious. You cannot put other people at risk by going to the hospital for your appointment.

Go get an up to date PCR and check your hospital's guidance - it's usually available on their website. If the guidance says not to go if you have any Covid symptoms, then phone the clinic or appointment booking service and explain your situation. Depending on the nature of the appointment, they might be able to convert it to a remote/virtual appointment, or get a new appointment sent out promptly.

I hope you feel better soon.

I currently have covid. My first PCR after I got symptoms was negative. I had another PCR a couple of days later which was positive.

I'd just go. It's quite normal to have a cold this time of year and you've had a pcr for the symptoms.