Gp appt

[SippingSipsmith]

Have a GP appt this morning. Can't decide whether to go because of virus risk. My appt isn't anything respiratory and I have health anxiety. It could be something or nothing - need to speak to GP ideally.

Can't decide whether to go now while things semi normal or wait and hope problem goes away.

Am I being silly

Bump

I’d go. I went to GP yesterday and whole surgery was deserted, I was the only patient and this is a very large London health centre with about 16 GPs!! There were about a thousand posters outside my surgery on the doors / walls / bike shed telling people not to enter if they had the corona virus symptoms, I also had to go through a triage service over the phone with GP before I could get the appointment (receptionists only booking appointments 3 weeks in advance). Probably the safest time to visit a GP as seems like everyone is staying away if they can! I only went as very high temperature with earache and couldn’t cope anymore but I’m glad I did.

I had this dilemma yesterday.

The issue I was going with is one that is probably nothing but could be a sign of something serious so I decided that, on balance, it was better to go. No point avoiding Covid if I make myself really unwell with something else!

I'm a little bit on the anxious side about germs even before Covid appeared. To try and control this a bit, I used hand sanitiser, touched as little as possible while there (I stood up in the waiting room), and I deliberately wore clothes and a coat that are all machine washable and when I got home I stripped off in the hallway and stuck them all in the machine, then I did a really thorough hand/wrist wash, clean clothes etc. I know that most people will think I'm barmy but I did what I needed to do to feel comfortable going to the appointment.

Go now, in case we end up following the Italy scenario, everything gets locked down and all health professionals are busy looking after the sick. If it's anything like my surgery, there will be hand sanitizer for you to use once you've checked in. When you leave, go straight home and wash your hands!

I've been. Doctor said I have nothing to worry about re the issue I went for. Gp surgery is next to a big Sainsbury's so I figured everyone in the surgery would probably go to Sainsbury's before or after their appt anyway.

Have performed a forensic style clean since returning home.

Their sign in screen wasn't in service so you had to speak to the receptionist and confirm no travel or flu symptoms before going onto the waiting room.

Going to be monitoring my symptoms for the next 2 weeks - that's health anxiety for you.

Thanks for your responses

Ineednewshoes - I stripped off by the back door - thankfully my house isn't overlooked and put all my clothes in a pillowcase. They're still all out there along with my old trainers. Might approach them in 6 hours time and hope it doesn't rain!

We seem to be on the same page!!!

Just ask for telephone consultation instead

Needed examination to confirm what I had otherwise would have done

I took my kids to the drs last week. We all had to go. I didn't even think about it.