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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to work with a cold?

42 replies

examnerves · 08/12/2021 08:12

I don't know what to do and reaching out to the good people of the internet for advice. I have woken up with a cold, sore throat, runny nose, blocked ears, tired etc. With paracetamol I think I'll be ok to work and probably only the eagle eyed would notice. But today is our Xmas party, (afternoon/evening event and dinner for around 15) I wouldn't want someone with a cold there, so think I should bow out. But then tomorrow I could really do with being in the office for a group training session on something I'm leading, among other things. Do I go tomorrow and/or today and if I only go tomorrow, what do I say?

Also, I have negatively covid tested today and yesterday twice, but I am a bit nervous as it's doing the rounds at the kids school. Thanks!

OP posts:
Meandmini3 · 08/12/2021 08:12

Did you do a PCR?

Meandmini3 · 08/12/2021 08:14

You have symptoms so it needs to be PCR and not lateral flow.

MsAgnesDiPesto · 08/12/2021 08:15

@examnerves

I don't know what to do and reaching out to the good people of the internet for advice. I have woken up with a cold, sore throat, runny nose, blocked ears, tired etc. With paracetamol I think I'll be ok to work and probably only the eagle eyed would notice. But today is our Xmas party, (afternoon/evening event and dinner for around 15) I wouldn't want someone with a cold there, so think I should bow out. But then tomorrow I could really do with being in the office for a group training session on something I'm leading, among other things. Do I go tomorrow and/or today and if I only go tomorrow, what do I say?

Also, I have negatively covid tested today and yesterday twice, but I am a bit nervous as it's doing the rounds at the kids school. Thanks!

LFTs aren’t good enough with symptoms - you need to be at home until you have a negative PCR. Even if it’s not covid, you will pass what you have on to others and half your colleagues could be in isolation by next week while they also await PCR results - and I doubt your employer will thank you for that.
Original poster
examnerves · 08/12/2021 08:16

No just a lateral flow. I thought the symptoms were cough and temperature, which I don't have?

OP posts:
Original poster
examnerves · 08/12/2021 08:17

If I get a test and the results tom morning, would you still not go tom?

OP posts:
user1471517095 · 08/12/2021 08:18

Remember, there's no such thing as the Common Cold, or Flu anymore. It's always Covid!

Palavah · 08/12/2021 08:18

Are you on the zoe app? It would send you for a PCR.

You should do a PCR - you have all the symptoms i had just before i tested positive.

Shiningpath · 08/12/2021 08:18

Do a PCR. I did multiple lateral flows which were all negative but my PCR was positive. I worked in through the negative LFTs at the insistence of my manager and now most of my team are off with Covid too.

toomuchlaundry · 08/12/2021 08:18

Delta can present like a cold

MsAgnesDiPesto · 08/12/2021 08:20

@user1471517095

Remember, there's no such thing as the Common Cold, or Flu anymore. It's always Covid!
That’s not the issue. It’s the need to test to be sure, so that you don’t put all your contacts into isolation, which is so disruptive. Everyone should be careful not to jeopardise other people’s jobs by forcing them to isolate, even if what they have isn’t covid.
JazzHandsYeah · 08/12/2021 08:22

Not until you have a negative PCR, no.

MsAgnesDiPesto · 08/12/2021 08:23

@examnerves

If I get a test and the results tom morning, would you still not go tom?
If I was going to be paid while off, I’d consider it the right thing to WFH if I felt well enough and could, or take a couple of days sick to avoid spreading it and putting others in the same situation. But you will know your circumstances better than I do.
DeepaBeesKit · 08/12/2021 08:23

If you were going to work because you needed to eg frontline worker/cant wfh I would agree with you.

But it sounds like the only reason you are wanting to go today is because its the christmas do. I'd get a drive through PCR today, the results come back overnight, then if you are negative on that go in tomorrow.

CloudyStorms · 08/12/2021 08:23

A lot of workplaces would expect you in. I don't agree that that is right though.

DeepaBeesKit · 08/12/2021 08:24

It’s the need to test to be sure, so that you don’t put all your contacts into isolation, which is so disruptive.

Omg how out of date are you? Close contacts don't have to isolate. Unless they have not had the vaccine, in which case its their own fucking fault.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 08/12/2021 08:26

Get a PCR first.

INeedSixEggs · 08/12/2021 08:26

Speaking as someone who is (hopefully) coming out the other side of whatever the nasty non-Covid virus is nearly 7 weeks later, I wouldn't go. I had a negative pcr but have had some other awful bug which started off cold like and has ended up as a chest infection and wiped out the whole family.
It's ruining the run up to Christmas as we're too ill to do anything. I have so much shopping to do.
If someone gave me even a cold at this stage I don't think I could cope!

Mixingvax · 08/12/2021 08:28

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at OP's request.

Mixingvax · 08/12/2021 08:28

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at OP's request.

MsAgnesDiPesto · 08/12/2021 08:29

@DeepaBeesKit

It’s the need to test to be sure, so that you don’t put all your contacts into isolation, which is so disruptive.

Omg how out of date are you? Close contacts don't have to isolate. Unless they have not had the vaccine, in which case its their own fucking fault.

I’m talking about people who get symptoms after catching whatever you’ve got. They have to isolate till they get a negative result. And colds spread really easily.
Mouseonmychair · 08/12/2021 08:29

Don't go into work today or tomorrow with a cold. Or ever ....

frazzledali · 08/12/2021 08:33

@user1471517095

Remember, there's no such thing as the Common Cold, or Flu anymore. It's always Covid!
Oh do piss off. Nobody thinks that except goady shills like you.
itspartytime · 08/12/2021 08:35

Yeah I got in a cab last week and driver had a 'stinking cold ' their words .

I am now waiting for the results of a pcr as suggested by a GP friend and she said I had classic symptoms ( snotty/sneezy:grumpy - sounds like snow while characters !) and needed to get tested . Lateral flow was faint positive too. Don't go in . No one wants this spreading.

Original poster
examnerves · 08/12/2021 08:49

I wouldn't say it's a stinking cold, just a cold but I guess nowadays that means no work in the office. The project manager is going to be annoyed tomorrow 😬

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 08/12/2021 09:09

@DeepaBeesKit you do have to isolate if it is Omicron