To be worried about coronavirus part 9

[GPwife2411]

A new thread - will delete if another one is around, I can't see any.

Previous thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3836309-To-be-worried-about-Coronavirus-Part-8

updated data on this page every day at 2pm until further notice.
www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public#number-of-cases

It's not just like flu www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/01/yes-it-is-worse-than-the-flu-busting-the-coronavirus-myths

Why WHO not declaring a pandemic www.newscientist.com/article/2235342-covid-19-why-wont-the-who-officially-declare-a-coronavirus-pandemic/

Worldometer www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

BNO News bnonews.com/index.php/2020/02/the-latest-coronavirus-cases/

Link to WHO report www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

The Lancet coronavirus hub - latest research and comment www.thelancet.com/coronavirus

JAMA coronavirus research centre jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/coronavirus-alert edited by MNHQ at OP's request

Glad to hear the high mortality rate with diabetes is uncontrolled diabetes as DP has type 2.

Seriously? ...Glad?!! Surely not.

I assume you mean relieved, rather than glad?

Yes glad. I had read that diabetes had a high mortality rate. I had thought that was for anyone with diabetes. In countries like Britain most people with diabetes will have controlled diabetes, so the mortality rate for people with diabetes will be much lower than 9.6. Of course I am glad that hopefully less people will die than I thought might.

Relieved then. Christ why are you policing my language.

@OhMargo

I know who would’ve thought we didn’t Just take our poor sick people out back and shoot them?!? Shh don’t tell anyone that we actually do care or our reputation is ruined.

First death and 7 new cases in San Marino

2 health care workers in California test positive for coronavirus after contact with a previous case

Its not policing, its me questioning what you mean and whether you're just glad its not you.

Like all those saying well its only really killing the old ans such awful things.

So no, not policing, not at all, querying if thats really your attitude.

No of course I am not saying yay we are okay so to hell with everyone else. I have read this thread because I am generally worried about this.

In countries like Britain most people with diabetes will have controlled diabetes

They really, really won't. If I remember correctly only about 30% of British diabetics meet blood sugar targets.

That's why I'm urging all diabetics to maximise their efforts, as much is humanly possible, to manage their diabetes as this virus starts to worm its way through the population.

Even those of us meeting basic targets can still step up control, try as hard as possible to decrease blood sugar variability - the swings between numbers. It all really matters anyway, but even moreso at the moment.

Carrying forward useful link from previous threads

Hope it works. the lancet report

I have just pasted the address here as a link, and pasted the same copied address into browser, which has worked to find the report. So I'll blame MN or other gremlins if it doesn't

Men are more likely to die of this than women. The Independent had an article about it. It is because generally women have stronger immune systems, although no one knows why. That is also why women are much more likely to suffer from auto immune diseases.

@AbsentmindedWoman That shocks me that only 30% do. Okay sorry I was wrong. DP does and I had just assumed that nearly everyone who is diagnosed will.

@AbsentmindedWoman - thanks, that's useful. DD's HBA1C is 52 mmol/mol (8.4 mmol/L) as she's been having morning spikes due to puberty. I wish I could get it lower :( but we have a hypo per day as it is!

Having said that, DH sees some patients with HBA1C at or above 100 (type 1) or 80 (type 2) so that does help put it in perspective a bit.

It is a worry, I get that allout. Hope hes ok.

Surely if women get stronger immune responses, as being an argument as to why more men are vulnerable to it, that contradicts the immune overdrive theory doesn't it?

The virus works well in a strong immune system sending it into overdrive and causing the organ overwhelm? The storm

Relieved then. Christ why are you policing my language.

Because this is Mumsnet. polishes smug arse medal and wanders away.

They really, really won't. If I remember correctly only about 30% of British diabetics meet blood sugar targets

I did not know that. I saw the reference to "controlled/uncontrolled diabetes" and basically thought that meant the extra riskfactors could be eliminated for diagnosed people with access to NHS medical care.

I think I was thinking that uncontrolled diabetes meant Americans with no health insurance. Bugger. So basically, this is going to disproportionately affect females with diabetes then? I've read before on MN that the hormonal flux of the menstrual cycle makes it harder to keep blood sugar stable.

Copied and pasted from another thread

lyralalala Sun 01-Mar-20 23:51:26
Agreed. They shouldn't need to though, employers should do the right thing. But we already know from the likes of Wetherspoons that they won't.

BIL works for a large energy company and they've announced that anyone who needs to self-isolate won't be paid under any circumstances. They'll only be paying sick pay on production of a sick line from a GP confirming the virus.

So it's going to spread round there as a lot of people won't be able to afford to be cautious

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Add message | Report | Message posterlyralalala Sun 01-Mar-20 23:52:43
They've also said they won't be changing the annual leave policy - someone asked if last minute leave could be taken if you had to isolate so you could at least be paid and they said no. Again not under any circumstances, even when asked "what if someone in my house gets it"

Big companies are not helping

I'm getting scared. I've been having symptoms of diabetes and have several risk factors (and I'm perimenopausal). GP asked me to get a blood test but I need to book an appointment. I have another underlying condition and hope to avoid GP surgeries or hospitals right now. Would it be worth paying for a home blood test? Are they accurate enough? Should I get blood glucose testing strips too? I'm worried if I do have it and it's not being controlled.

@hopeldont go to the doctor for the tests you need. Think about it, if you find a home test that is accurate enough to tell you anything, you’ll still need a doctor to treat you, right?

@HopeIDont Lloyd's pharmacy do a testing service. I think you call to book. It's £5. I believe it's only your blood sugar on the day and not the one the GP will do, the GP will do your average over 3 months.

They also sell the test machines and strips but they are expensive.

I'd book in with a nurse, get in when the surgery is quiet. Nurses often run clinics all through the day and don't have surgery times like GPs.

Get the test done. If you are diabetic the diabetes nurse should have test machines you can take away to use, although you have to buy your own test strips.

I'm pre diabetic and my recent fluey cold put me firmly into high blood sugars. I've been testing every few days since September and I'd achieved good control by limiting my carb intake. Just shows that a virus can throw it all out.

You can also get diabetes checks at some pharmacies. Not sure how long results take though.
As saltines said, there's not really much point in getting a diagnosis anywhere other than your GP, as they're the only ppl who will actually be able to advise on and prescribe treatment.

*gp surgery, I mean.

Thanks for the advice. No Lloyds near me but as you say I'll have to see the doctor for any treatment. I'll try to see the nurse at a quieter time. I work from home so have more options. I mostly low carb so hoping that will help. Pasta is my weakness!